Cornwall Council successfully bid for a £50 million grant from the Government’s Levelling Up (transport) Fund towards a £56.8 million Mid Cornwall Metro initiative.
The project will help transform transport links in Cornwall. Residents will be able to better connect to employment, education (including higher education and university), and key services.
Working with delivery partners GWR and Network Rail, the new coast to coast rail service will create a sustainable transport corridor through central Cornwall. It will improve the current links between four of Cornwall’s largest towns: Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn.
Plans include
- develop and improve the transport network to encourage more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
- hourly direct train service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth
- a new platform at Newquay Railway Station
- a new passing loop on the Newquay branch line at Tregoss Moor
- doubling of the number of rail services between Newquay and Par - an extra 700,000 seats per year both ways
- improved accessibility and interchange at Par Station
- upgrades to level crossing
- increase frequency of mainline services between Par, St Austell and Truro
- reduce journey times and ease road congestion for people living along the route
There will be a programme of public and stakeholder consultation on the proposals as the scheme designs develop.
The grant is subject to funding rules and conditions for which Cornwall Council is the accountable body.
Link to more details about the proposed Mid Cornwall Metro scheme.
The Council’s Cabinet will consider the project at a meeting later this year.