Rail passengers travelling between Newquay and Par are being urged to plan ahead as services remain disrupted until Tuesday 18 November while the final stage of engineering work for the Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) is completed.

The work includes the introduction of a new digital signalling system and the construction of a second platform at Newquay. Trains are being replaced by buses between Newquay and Par, with passengers at Par advised to take trains to St Austell and change onto replacement buses towards Newquay. Services from Par towards Plymouth and Penzance continue to operate as normal.

The upgrades will enable an hourly service between Newquay and Par from next year, more than doubling current frequency, with a direct connection from Newquay to Falmouth via Par, St Austell, and Truro. Newquay will also have two operational platforms for the first time since 1987.

Bogdan Lupu, Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director, said: “We’re really sorry to passengers for the extended delay. Signalling is the most complex work we undertake on the railway and unfortunately we need longer than planned to complete the required testing. Safety is always our number one priority and we can only reopen the railway when the signals have been thoroughly tested and are ready to use. Passengers planning to travel between Newquay and Par are advised to plan their journeys in advance at GWR.com as replacement bus services will be in place, meaning journey times may be extended.”

Lee Goodson, GWR Station Manager for West Cornwall, added: “This improvement work forms part of the wider plans to enhance train services, making it even easier for people to choose to travel by train across Cornwall, with more frequent services, and direct services between Falmouth and Newquay. We recognise how frustrating it is that these works are taking longer than expected, and we are really sorry – it is however really important to complete them before we can introduce these services in the future. During the period trains will not be able to stop at Newquay, Quintrell Downs, St Columb Road, Roche, Bugle or Luxulyan stations. Trains will still run from Par on the Cornish main line and replacement buses will continue to operate on the branch line between Newquay and St Austell. It’s important that customers are aware this could make journey times longer, so please plan ahead.”

Image: Network Rail