NEWQUAY’S rail branch line will close for two weeks whilst rail improvements take place.

Network Rail is shutting the route to upgrade the track and a level crossing from Monday, November 18 to Sunday, December 1.

The works are part of the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme, which aims to provide more frequent trains along the route between Newquay, St Austell, Truro, Falmouth and Penryn.

No trains will run between Par and Newquay during the 14 days. Replacement buses are planned between St Austell and Newquay Trains will still run towards Plymouth or Penzance at Par station

Sharon Holloway, Great Western Railway’s (GWR) station manager for West Cornwall, said: “This improvement work forms part of wider plans to enhance services for those choosing to travel by rail across Cornwall.

“During these dates, trains will still run between Plymouth and Penzance at Par station with replacement buses running between St Austell and Newquay.

“It’s important that customers are aware that these alternative travel arrangements will make journey longer, and you should check before you travel.”

The Mid Cornwall Metro has been funded by government and Cornwall Council and is being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.

The scheme aims to help open up opportunities for education, training and employment.

The rail service between Newquay and Par, which currently has trains every two hours, will double to hourly from summer 2025. This will mean an additional 700,000 seats both ways, per year.

A new rail passing loop at Tregoss Moor will allow trains to pass each other. This will enable local and long-distance services to operate concurrently - meaning local services can run all year round.

Newquay-Par services will extend to St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth from 2026.

Newquay station will receive a new second platform, improvements to local bus stops, improved station car park and outside landscaping.

There will be tap-in, tap-out facilities to allow Pay As You Go local travel across Cornwall and to/from Plymouth with a GWR smartcard.

The project will also improve walking and cycling access to the station.

Bogdan Lupu, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “This is the first of two major pieces of work we need to complete on the Newquay branch line. We’ve got a new platform ready and now we need to lay new track to reach it.

“We’re sorry for the disruption but working this way is the fastest route to bring the benefits of Mid Cornwall Metro to passengers.”

The Newquay branch line will be closed again for further track works to take place near Roche next spring, which will impact trains from Monday, February 24 to Sunday, March 23.