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Tuesday 18 Nov 2025

Second platform open at Newquay with branch line ready for Mid Cornwall Metro

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Newquay has a second platform in operation for the first time in 38 years today (Tuesday 18 November) as trains return to the branch line after Network Rail’s engineering work.

The station on the north Cornwall coast has only had a single platform in use since October 1987, when the signal box closed. But now, the introduction of new, digital signalling sees two platforms restored.

The work prepares the railway for the introduction of Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM). An hourly train between Newquay and Par will begin next year, more than doubling the current service. A direct link from Newquay to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro will follow.

Digital signalling, controlled at Goonbarrow signal box, replaces the “token” system, where a train driver was given a physical object by the signaller to use the railway line. The method ensured only one train was travelling on the single-track line at once.

Network Rail has now completed several pieces of work for MCM. The second platform at Newquay was completely rebuilt and new track laid to bring trains to it. A new “loop” was constructed at Goss Moor to allow trains to pass each other. Track was replaced near St Blazey and a major refurbishment took place to the 152-year-old Ponts Mill viaduct, which carries the branch line over the River Par.

MCM is funded by Government and Cornwall Council and is being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.

Bogan Lupu, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “This is fantastic news for passengers in Cornwall. The completion of this work paves the way for a huge increase in journeys to Newquay and will bring some of the county’s largest places closer together.

“We’re sorry for the disruption while the work took place but its legacy will provide a boost to the local economy and the environment.”

Matthew Barnes, GWR head of strategic service development, said: “These upgrades make the track and signalling improvements necessary for us to provide more, and better, services.

“This paves the way for us to run our first Mid Cornwall Metro trains which will provide coast-to-coast connectivity between Newquay and Falmouth via Par and St Austell.

“Now that works are complete we will continue to progress improvements to the train service; the first step will see us double frequency on the line between Newquay and Par, followed by the start of coast-to-coast services at a later date.”

For more information visit midcornwallmetro.com.