‘Big step forward’ for Newquay branch line – MP
Newquay’s MP, Dan Rogerson, has hailed a visit by Transport Minister Lord Adonis as a ‘big step forward’ for the Newquay-Par branch line.
Mr Rogerson had arranged to take the Friends of the Atlantic Coast Line (FOCAL) group to see the Minister in London as part of their joint campaign to extend and improve the Branch Line service through the development of a Rail Loop linking Newquay and Par with St Austell and St Dennis.
The Minister agreed to look at ways to open a new platform at Newquay station to enable High Speed Trains and local services to operate at the same time. He also pledged to re-examine the branch line’s speed restrictions, to see if the present service can be sped up.
Commenting, Mr Rogerson said:
“Today represents a big step towards the rail service that Newquay needs and deserves.
“Steve Gilbert and I have been pressing for a meeting for months, but it has been worth the wait to have the Minister come and see the problems at Newquay first hand.
“We travelled the length of the branch line with him, and he seemed to gain a real understanding of what needs to be done.
“He couldn’t promise there and then to give everything we have been campaigning for but he did make substantial commitments to look at what can be done in the short term.
“I’ll be writing to him to follow up and naturally I’ll keep local campaigners and residents in the Newquay area informed.”
Liberal Democrat campaigner for St Austell and Newquay, Steve Gilbert added:
“Over the next twenty years Newquay and the mid-Cornwall area are going to change significantly, and the existing branch line provides a great opportunity to develop an integrated transport system that will serve the heart of Cornwall for the 21st century.”
