Network Rail has entered the next phase of construction on the Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM), a transformative project designed to enhance coast-to-coast rail travel in Cornwall.

Funded by the UK Government and Cornwall Council, the MCM is being delivered in partnership with Great Western Railway (GWR). The first phase of the project will see hourly trains running between Newquay and Par later this year, more than doubling the current service. By 2026, through trains will connect Newquay to Falmouth, passing through Par, St Austell, and Truro.

Work is now underway to construct a 400m passing loop at Goss Moor, which will enable local and long-distance trains to operate simultaneously between Newquay and Par. Construction is taking place at night to minimize disruption, with Natural England granting permission for work on Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).


A round-the-clock construction period will follow, requiring a temporary railway closure between Monday, 24 February, and Sunday, 23 March. During this time, no trains will operate between Newquay and Par, and rail replacement buses will run between St Austell and Newquay, stopping at Luxulyan, Bugle, Roche, St Columb Road, and Quintrell Downs. Most replacement buses will not call at Par, with passengers needing to change at St Austell.

Alongside the new passing loop, Network Rail will replace 400m of track near St Blazey, allowing trains to pass more efficiently. Work will also be carried out on Ponts Mill (Prideaux) Viaduct, which carries the railway over the River Par, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.

Network Rail has already completed two key upgrades for MCM, including:

• Restoration of a second platform at Newquay station

• Installation of 500m of new track and a new crossing

While the expanded Newquay-to-Par service was originally set to launch this summer, the additional trains are now expected to start in late 2025, as Network Rail continues installing the required digital signalling.

The MCM project also includes enhancements to walking and cycling routes near train stations. Cornwall Council has started work on widening the shared-use walking and cycling path along Narrowcliff in Newquay, with future improvements planned between Edgecumbe Avenue and Oakleigh Terrace, including additional pedestrian crossings.