Media centre

Tuesday 30 Nov 2004

MINISTER DECLARES £14 MILLION WEST COUNTRY RAIL IMPROVEMENT COMPLETE

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Tony McNulty MP, Minister of State for Transport, visited the South West today to mark the completion of a £14.3 million project to improve the region’s railway. The doubling of a previously single-track section of the Great Western Main Line between Truro and St Austell in Cornwall, completed this month, will result in significant improvements in punctuality, provide for future growth in services, and boost the region’s economy. The project was funded by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and the EU Objective One Programme for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, in partnership with Cornwall County Council and the Government Office for the South West.  The work was managed by Network Rail, and will deliver benefits for passengers travelling on Wessex Trains, First Great Western, Virgin CrossCountry and Arriva Trains Wales. Senior representatives from the rail industry and local government today joined the Minister on a special ‘City of Truro’ steam engine service from Plymouth to Truro.  The steam train passed a modern passenger train on the new double track railway – which lies between Probus and Burngullow – the first time services have been timetabled to pass on the new section. To mark the significance of the new section of track to the region, the Minister rededicated a High Speed Train as the ‘City of Truro’, as the historic steam engine and the modern-day diesel locomotive stood alongside each other at Truro Station. Speaking at the event, Tony McNulty MP said: “The completion of this project will see major improvements along the entire Great Western Main Line. Rail services in and around the South West will run more efficiently and passengers will reap the benefits of a better service.  It is pleasing to see so many bodies working together in partnership to deliver such a successful project, once again on time and on budget.” David Quarmby, Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, said: “This project shows that when the rail industry and regional bodies get their heads together, we can find ways of making significant improvements for passengers, in a short timeframe, and within a sensible budget.  This is a true success story for the West Country.” John Armitt, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said: “The dedication of the Network Rail teams involved in this project has meant that we have been able to provide long term benefits for the people of Cornwall as well as the millions who visit the region each year.  It is also the result of a ‘can do attitude’ amongst all the key players in the rail industry, together with help from Cornwall County Council and the Government Office for the South West.”