A £6.55m investment from Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) is set to perform upgrades in Penzance improving reliability for services in Cornwall.
The investment will see the construction of three new sidings in Penzance allowing longer trains to run and be maintained in Cornwall.
The longer sidings act as laybys for trains and will allow GWR to run longer nine-carriage services between London Paddington and Penzance.
The Ponsandane sidings will provide a dedicated place for trains to be stored and prepared for re-entering service.
Network Rail are set to provide £4.8m of the funding with GWR set to invest the remaining £1.75m
Christian Irwin, Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director (South West) spoke on the work taking place in Cornwall.
Mr Irwin said: “We are delighted to be continuing our investment into the railway in Cornwall.
“Over the last 18 months, we’ve made a number of significant improvements to rail travel in the county.
“[This includes] completing the biggest track investment on the St Ives Bay line in 60 years [and] upgrading to the Newquay branch line.
“It has never been a more important time to invest in rail and ensure the railway is an efficient, affordable and reliable green transport option for residents.”
Network Rail is also continuing to back the plans for the proposed future construction of the Mid-Cornwall Metro.
Matt Barnes, GWR Head of Strategic Service Development commented on what the investment will bring to passengers in Cornwall.
Mr Barnes said: “This wider investment across the South West has helped GWR to be able to deliver more and better train services.
“[This offers] passengers more seats on a more resilient and reliable railway.
“As we seek to build back better, we are always looking at ways to make travelling with GWR a simpler, more accessible experience.”
Alongside these plans, Cornwall Council has submitted plans to create a new car park at Ponsandane.
Featured image - GWR
