Passengers travelling through Cornwall can now expect improved reliability and shorter journey times after Network Rail completed a major upgrade to the 152-year-old Ponts Mill viaduct near St Blazey.

The viaduct, which carries the Newquay branch line over the River Par, had been subject to a precautionary 10mph speed restriction in recent years due to its aging structure. This limit added delays to journeys and increased fuel consumption, as trains were forced to slow significantly before crossing and then accelerate afterward.

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Temporary repairs were carried out in March 2024, but Network Rail has now completed a full strengthening programme that has allowed trains to resume travelling at the standard line speed of 30mph.

During a planned closure of the railway in March, engineers removed the viaduct’s original timber decks and replaced them with new steel decks. The bridge girders were also strengthened, and the track infrastructure — including rails, sleepers, and ballast — was completely renewed. Two 60-tonne cranes were used to lift materials into place during the complex engineering operation.

The upgrade means trains, including freight services from the nearby mineral site, can now cross the viaduct without slowing down, improving efficiency and reducing journey times.

Work is continuing on the structure, with teams now painting the steel components of the bridge and carrying out repairs to the three stone columns and two abutments.