THE new Labour MP for Newquay and St Austell has stated there is no impact to the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme following the party’s funding announcements.

Noah Law confirmed the coast through-service connecting St Austell and Par to Newquay, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth has not been affected by chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to cancel the Restoring Your Railway Fund, which is a scheme designed to reopen previously closed rail lines.

Cornwall Council has contacted the Department for Transport for advice to seek clarification on the future of the Mid Cornwall Metro following the chancellor’s Spending Inheritance Statement as parts of the scheme — such as the Par footbridge — are being funded through the Restoring Your Railways Fund. The majority of the money will come from the Levelling Up Fund, which has already been allocated.

Ms Reeves announced a series of decisions designed to reduce spending after requesting Treasury officials conduct a public spending audit.

She subsequently described the economic legacy she had been left by the Conservative government as "unforgivable”.

Findings from the Treasury audit exposed billions of pounds of unfunded commitments from the previous government, including the Rwanda scheme, the Advanced British Standard and the New Hospital Programme.

Mr Law said: “I can confirm that there is absolutely no impact on Mid Cornwall Metro as a result of the Chancellor's announcement relating to the Restoring Your Railways Fund.”

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, said: “Noah Law has written to the council this morning to say that there is no impact on the MCM after recent announcements. We await confirmation from the Department for Transport.”

The Mid Cornwall Metro scheme aims to transform how people travel across Cornwall.

The project aims to create more frequent trains along the route between Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn to help open up opportunities for education, training and employment.

Works to be carried out would include a new platform at Newquay Station; a new passing loop at Tregoss Moor; upgraded level crossings; new signalling at Goonbarrow; a new accessible lift bridge at Par Station; extended platforms at Falmouth stations; infrastructure at Newquay, Roche, Bugle, Penryn and Falmouth stations; digitalisation of rail ticketing.

Currently rail passengers from Falmouth have to change at both Truro and Par in order to get to Newquay.