NETWORK Rail have announced that work at Newquay station as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro project is set to begin.

Their teams will be on site from Tuesday, August 13, until Monday, October 28, working from 8am to 5pm. They will also occasionally be working overnight between 11pm and 7am.

The beginning of the work coincides with the project to restore a second platform at Newquay to bring more trains to the town. From May next year, trains will leave Newquay every hour, start earlier in the day and finish later.

When Mid Cornwall Metro is complete, due in 2026, direct trains will run from Newquay to Falmouth. Currently rail passengers from Falmouth have to change at both Truro and Par in order to get to Newquay.

The scheme aims to transform how people travel across Cornwall and 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 in other locations include 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; and digitalisation of rail ticketing.

There were fears that parts of the scheme had been scrapped, following the decision to cancel the Restoring Your Railway Fund. Labour MP for Newquay and St Austell Noah Law confirmed that this would have no impact to the scheme.

While work is being carried out at Newquay Railway Station, there will be fewer car parking spaces available. The team are aware they will be working close to nearby homes and have said they will “try to minimise noise as much as possible”.

Network Rail has apologised in advance for any inconvenience caused through the parking limitation or the potential amount of noise caused.

To contact Network Rail, call their 24-hour national helpline on 03457 114141 or visit the website www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus

For more information on the Mid Cornwall Metro project, visit midcornwallmetro.com