Cornwall Council in the United Kingdom has granted approval for the Mid Cornwall Metro initiative, paving the way for a significant overhaul of transportation connections across the region. The commencement of construction is scheduled for 2024.
This ambitious project is a collaborative effort between Cornwall Council, the Great Western Railway (GWR), and Network Rail. They are all united in their mission to promote sustainable travel options throughout Cornwall.
Spanning Cornwall’s major towns, this cross-country railway service will encompass Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn. The initiative will introduce an hourly direct train service linking Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn, and Falmouth. This is along with a doubling of the train services connecting Newquay and Par.
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The Mid Cornwall Metro project
Councillor Richard Williams-Pears, responsible for the Council’s transport portfolio, underscored the significance of this project as the next phase in advancing Cornwall’s transportation system. He remarked, “This initiative is pivotal in delivering enhancements to rail and active travel across Cornwall, both in the present and future, thereby improving the quality of life for our residents by revolutionizing transportation across the Duchy of Cornwall.”
Williams-Pears added, “The Council has already secured £50 million through a successful bid from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, recognising the vital role of this initiative in facilitating economic equality, sustainable growth, and investments in Mid Cornwall. Apart from its environmentally-friendly attributes and its potential to stimulate economic growth and local revitalization around the railway stations, I envision this as the outset of a transformative transportation era for Cornwall, marking the Mid Cornwall segment of the eventual Cornwall Metro.”
Cabinet members voted in favor of accepting a £50 million allocation from the Levelling Up Fund to contribute to the implementation of the £56.8 million Mid Cornwall Metro project. The Cornwall Council affirmed its responsibility as the “accountable body” for the project and expressed its commitment to prudent financial management throughout the initiative’s execution.
