Mid-Cornwall Rail Study

[whole diary]

[LiskeardRich]

taken from http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/9042308.Falmouth_train_service_hailed_a_success/

Nearly a million journeys have been made by passengers between Truro and Falmouth since the train service was doubled two years ago.

An estimated 945,000 journeys have been made on the Maritime Line since the improved service was introduced in May 2009. It compares to 579,081 made in the previous two years.

Work on the line included rebuilding Penryn station, and creating a passing loop, which allows trains to now run every 30 minutes.

The work, costing ^7.8 million, was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Cornwall Council and Network Rail.

Cornwall Council Cabinet member for Transportation and Highways, Graeme Hicks said: "This has been a huge success for rail passengers that has attracted hundreds of thousands of passengers.

"We need good transport links in Cornwall and working with our partners we are very pleased to have achieved that

[Andy]

In the press release which publicises the great success of the re-instatement of the Penryn passing loop and the associated increase in service provision on the Falmouth branch, mention is made of the "Mid-Cornwall rail Study". Does anyone have any information on this research project?

 

[RichardB]

Andy, it's a study being done for Cornwall Council by Network Rail looking at the whole Newquay - Par/St Austell - Truro - Falmouth corridor, including current costs etc for the St Dennis line.  Should report back to them by the Autumn.

[Andy]

Thanks, Richard. I find it very encouraging that energy is being devoted to looking at rail transport in this particular district and will be interested to learn about the study's brief and findings in due course.


 
 

[Andy]

Before the summer, there was mention of this study to look into the potential for developing the rail system in central Cornwall (covering roughly all the lines in the area between Falmouth, Newquay and Par (not Lostwithiel-Fowey, if I understood correctly). Does anyone have any news on its progress?
 

[RichardB]

Not long now, Andy, as I understand it.

The study looks at Newquay - Par - Truro - Falmouth/Penzance (the Penzance bit I only found out recently).  As soon as the report is presented to Cornwall and anything public becomes available, I'll update everyone on this thread.

[Andy]

Thank you Richard. I look forward to reading about their findings in due course. I didn't realise the main line to Penzance was included either.

[RailCornwall]

Presumably PZ was added to accomodate the P&R^▸ (Park and Ride) development at St Erth into the process, especially as public documents include reference to capacity enhancements / reuse on the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) west of Truro.

[richard bickford]

Part of the study actually looks at the whole of the main line from Plymouth to Penzance. This is probably the most cost effective bit of the whole thing and would bring improvements to far more people and make cross Cornwall travel easier too.

[Plymboi]

It would be great for cornwall if this line was to be reopened. Look forward to the report

[Plymboi]

People may be interested in this...

http://www.focal.org.uk/pdf%20files/Blueprint_%20NewquayBranchLine.pdf

[ChrisB]

It's over 4 years old - surely ought to be updated?

[IndustryInsider]

It's over 4 years old - surely ought to be updated?

Um, that's what is happening, and the point of this thread surely:

...it's a study being done for Cornwall Council by Network Rail looking at the whole Newquay - Par/St Austell - Truro - Falmouth corridor, including current costs etc for the St Dennis line.  Should report back to them by the Autumn.

And from the FOCAL (Friends Of the atlantic CoAst Line) page where that link is listed: "The aim of the Blueprint is to promote debate and initiate further studies and research."