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Friday 6 Dec 2024

Emergency repairs underway as Newquay line is due to reopen on Friday 13 December

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is advising passengers that the Newquay line in Cornwall will be closed until Friday 13 December while emergency repairs are carried out.

Last week, engineers working on the line discovered that a retaining wall on an embankment near Pontsmill viaduct had fallen into the river below, displacing a significant amount of ballast - the stones which hold the tracks in place.

At the time, the line was closed while engineers worked on the Mid Cornwall Metro project and had been due to reopen on Sunday 1 December. The issue with the ballast and retaining wall is not related to the planned engineering work, which was completed last weekend.

Network Rail is now working to repair the wall and reinstate the ballast, with engineers moving heavy equipment to the remote site. Ground surveys were completed earlier this week.

Network Rail has worked collaboratively with the Environment Agency to approve the repairs, owing to the close proximity of the river.

Passengers are advised that rail replacement services – which had been operating during the Mid Cornwall Metro engineering work - will continue to the same timetable.

Chris Fuoco, Network Rail’s director for Devon and Cornwall, said: “We’re sorry for the disruption as a result of the emergency repair work taking place on the Newquay line.

“Safety is our top priority and we need to close the line while these repairs are carried out to ensure that everyone remains safe while travelling. Our team is working with our contractors to complete this work as quickly as possible, however the line will remain closed until Friday 13 December while this takes place.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these vital repairs.”

Sharon Holloway, GWR station manager for West Cornwall said: "We are really sorry for the disruption that this extra work may cause, but the safety of our customers is our first priority.

"The rail replacement service that has been operating since works began will continue, and we remind those travelling to check their journey beforehand."