Cornwall Metro funding approved

[DDB]

Each piece of this project (with the possible exception of the new signalling required) sounds quite simple to do. Is there any indication of likely timescales?

I can see the concern about the risk of delays effecting the Falmouth service but on the other hand for some people the through service means they will no longer be at risk of missing their connection as they will already be on it.

It does look like the biggest winner is the service for the intermediate stops on the Newquay line. Going from the current service where there isn't really a Saturday service to hopefully clockface service six seven days a week is a massive improvement.

 

[D Williams]

This scheme is yet another result of Cornwall Council's wild ramblings with regard to transport and a desire by the Tories to prop up support in an area where they have a number of marginal seats. Thousands of houses are being built in or near Newquay mainly on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, another shadowy organisation that hides under a "green" banner but is only interested in profit. Whilst most of the houses will go to the retired from out-of-county and add to the extreme pressure on social services some will need to find a job. I suppose the thinking is that they will travel to St Austell or Truro. Truro to Falmouth is heavily used by Westcountry standards but passengers on the Newquay branch other than holiday weekends, can be counted on the fingers of both hands. The line is rambling, slow, has several level crossings and the only intermediate station in a populated area ( of sorts) is Bugle. Access to all of the stations is poor with no provision for parking or even vehicle access. The Council has some wild idea that all will arrive on a bike.

Another aspiration of the Council is to restore a passenger service between Bodmin and Bodmin Parkway. This is in the local plan but at present is not being actively pursued. Great Western paid for a feasibility study as a part of their contract and the consultants pointed out that there is already a good bus service that is little used. The same can be said for Newquay to St Austell and Truro. But then, what's £50m to government?

 

[Gloster]

My cynicism about the project is connected to concern about the effect it will have on future projects. It looks as though much of the money will be spent on the Newquay line, but I very much doubt if it will bring any significant increase in passenger numbers. Newquay and St Austell are of a size and I doubt if there is a great untapped market for this journey waiting to take the train, while Newquay-Truro is never likely to compete with the bus; the intermediate villages are of little importance. So a lot of money will be spent on the Newquay line to little effect: in a few years’ time a more reasonable project will be put forward somewhere, but opponents to it will point at all the money ‘wasted’ on this project to little effect.

 

[RPI]

My cynicism about the project is connected to concern about the effect it will have on future projects. It looks as though much of the money will be spent on the Newquay line, but I very much doubt if it will bring any significant increase in passenger numbers. Newquay and St Austell are of a size and I doubt if there is a great untapped market for this journey waiting to take the train, while Newquay-Truro is never likely to compete with the bus; the intermediate villages are of little importance. So a lot of money will be spent on the Newquay line to little effect: in a few years’ time a more reasonable project will be put forward somewhere, but opponents to it will point at all the money ‘wasted’ on this project to little effect.

But again, the point about the bus being quicker is countered by the fact that several crossings are being upgraded or replaced, thus improving journey times, there is also the fact that the road in and out of Newquay in summer puts paid to bus reliability.

 

[Dr Day]

the road in and out of Newquay in summer puts paid to bus reliability.

Ok, getting speculative but could the £50m have been spent on bus priority and achieved similar transport objectives but at a far lower cost over the life-cycle of the scheme? ie taking into account the extra subsidy needed to operate extra trains? I am assuming the levelling up and RYR funding processes look at not just capital but resulting commitments to ongoing costs, and consider alternative transport solutions to the problem Cornwall Metro would solve as a typical business case should. Is the detailed application in the public domain, as tried looking and can't find it? Would be interesting to see how the case for rail capital cost plus subsidy rather than bus was made.

 

[Noddy]

Ok, getting speculative but could the £50m have been spent on bus priority and achieved similar transport objectives but at a far lower cost over the life-cycle of the scheme? ie taking into account the extra subsidy needed to operate extra trains? I am assuming the levelling up and RYR funding processes look at not just capital but resulting commitments to ongoing costs, and consider alternative transport solutions to the problem Cornwall Metro would solve as a typical business case should. Is the detailed application in the public domain, as tried looking and can't find it? Would be interesting to see how the case for rail capital cost plus subsidy rather than bus was made.

AIUI not all the money is being spent on the Newquay branch. Some is being spent at Falmouth extending platforms etc.

 

[ar10642]

£5.80 return from Plymouth to Torre (74 miles round trip)

That's a great fare and much cheaper than fuel isn't it? We need to see more of that if we really want people to drive less.

 

[sor]

The Council has some wild idea that all will arrive on a bike.

I wouldn't cycle to Roche station from the actual village itself either, not while there's the pre-bypass levels of traffic!

(I'd actually use the station if it were safe to do so, especially back when I was commuting to Plymouth daily and driving to St Austell to do it)

 

[RPI]

Ok, getting speculative but could the £50m have been spent on bus priority and achieved similar transport objectives but at a far lower cost over the life-cycle of the scheme? ie taking into account the extra subsidy needed to operate extra trains? I am assuming the levelling up and RYR funding processes look at not just capital but resulting commitments to ongoing costs, and consider alternative transport solutions to the problem Cornwall Metro would solve as a typical business case should. Is the detailed application in the public domain, as tried looking and can't find it? Would be interesting to see how the case for rail capital cost plus subsidy rather than bus was made.

Getting way off here but the second platform at Newquay is also to do with the continuation of long distance trains serving the town.

Getting an hourly service on the branch even to Par is going to hugely increase the attractiveness of travelling to or from Newquay by train, the infrastructure is already there on the whole and still has to be maintained and an interior service subsidised, may as well subsidise a decent service.

People won't leave their car behind at home to catch a bus in anywhere near the same numbers as will catch a train.

 

[yorkie]

Reopened to enable @Snow1964 to post an update

 

[Snow1964]

A tender award for Cornwall metro works has just been announced.

Long list of proposed works on attached, includes second platform at Newquay, new passing loop at Treg Goss Moor (suitable for 10car IETs), signalling improvements etc

1 buyer​

• Cornwall Council Truro

1 supplier​

• Network Rail Infrastructure Lambeth

Description​

An Implementation Agreement with respect to the 'Mid-Cornwall Metro Enhancement Scheme' to develop infrastructure enhancements aimed at supporting an increase in train services on the Newquay Branch, extending services on to the Cornwall Main Line and on to the Falmouth Branch line.

Award Detail​

1	Network Rail Infrastructure (None) Value: £29,178,009

CPV Codes​

• 45234000 - Construction work for railways and cable transport systems

Other Information​

The work builds on feasibility work and a strategic outline business case (SOBC) for Mid-Cornwall Metro for which £1.5m was awarded to the project through the DfT's 'Restoring your Railway' programme A FBC was submitted by Network rail to DfT at the end of March 2023 with GRIP 3 and 4 activities due to be completed by the summer of 2023.

The Project seeks to enable service levels on the branch line to increase from 8 trains a day in each direction to 1 train per hour between Newquay and Par.
This will subsequently support the introduction of an hourly direct service linking the urban centres of Newquay, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth. One of the objectives of the Mid-Cornwall Metro scheme is the development, design and delivery of an 'access for all' footbridge at Par. This Agreement covers design services (including detailed design) that shall be undertaken from June 2023 up to completion.

Services
he Services to be provided by Network Rail include:
(a) Services of the Network Rail sponsor and any other supporting resources to provide ongoing contract management, guidance and support relating to the necessary consents and commercial agreements.
(b) Design Services including monitoring progress of detailed design and working drawings.
(c) Project management services and support necessary to manage the efficient and timely completion of the Project.
(d) Services of a Designated Project Engineer and Project Engineers for relevant engineering disciplines.
(e) Attendance at periodic progress meetings and workshops and to regularly report on progress and technical aspects of contract(s) in place to deliver the Works Requirements. Production of reports as detailed in Appendix 1.
(f) Provision of information that Network Rail has in its possession and which is reasonably requested by the Customer, or the Customer on behalf of Department for Transport.
(g) Administration and management of Railway Possessions and isolations procedures, scheduling and reporting relating to the Works.
(h) Undertaking surveys.
(i) Undertaking and administration of Commissioning procedures.
(j) Applying for Necessary Consents where Network Rail is responsible for obtaining such consents.
(k) Services of Network Rail resources from liabilities, level crossings and legal teams to support the required closures of level crossings including negotiations with authorised users.
(l) Provision of support to the Customer during statutory processes to extinguish rights for road users over level crossings that are being closed or altered.
(m) Monitor and regularly update estimated costs relating to Regulated Change, including notifying the Customer if the costs are forecast to exceed the estimate specified in Schedule 3, paragraph 4 Estimated Project Cost.

The Works comprise:
(a) Re-instatement of a second platform at Newquay capable of accommodating local services with retention of the existing platform capable of accommodating both local and long distance services.
(b) Installation of a passing loop on the Newquay branch line capable of accommodating a 10 car IET (Intercity Express Train).
(c) Installation of a suitable signalling system to control the new passing loop at TregGoss Moor and the route into the additional platform at Newquay.
(d) Upgrades/closures to user worked, footpath and lLevel cCrossings as deemed necessary by risk assessments, and any associated line speed increases through the crossingssections.
(e) Alterations/Closures and downgrades to footpath, user worked and to level crossings in the Trencreek & Chapel areas to support an air right easement agreement between Network Rail and Cornwall Council in relation to the Hendra-Nansledan Overbridge Scheme.(referenced in Schedule 3: Project Information - section 16 Interfacing Projects)
(f) Removal of token system between St Blazey and Goonbarrow to aid reducetion in journey times.

To complete the Works, detailed design needs to be completed. Network Rail shall produce: • An updated indicative programme for design, delivery, hand-back and close-out. • Confirmed possession strategy for the delivery stages. • Continued scrutiny of costs to support the Customer's financial forecasting and budgeting. • Surveys which include: • CCTV drainage surveys in Newquay and Tregoss Moor • Additional topographical surveys and ecological surveys with associated reports including any additional consents required; • Retaining wall surveys at Newquay railway station. • A design package including completion of Detail design for the following disciplines: • Track • Signalling / control systems in association with the panel at Goonbarrow and St Blazey Signal Boxes. • Telecoms • Electrical & Plant • Civils • Deliverables • A design package that addresses/mitigates issues around deliverability, costs, and contingencies for potential cost overrun. • A strategy for delivery and draft implementation agreement for delivery of the works, which will be subject to the governance of both the Customer and Network Rail. • Estimated cost breakdowns for the infrastructure works required to deliver the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme and the 'access for all' footbridge at Par. • An updated indicative programme for design, delivery, hand-back and close-out. • Confirmed possession strategy for the delivery stages. • Estimated cost plan reviewed against the overall cost estimate from the Contractor for PACE 2 to PACE 4, to support the Customer's financial forecasting and budgeting. • Surveys which include: • CCTV drainage surveys in Newquay and Goss Moor; • Additional topographical surveys and ecological surveys with associated reports including any additional consents required; and, • Retaining wall surveys at Newquay railway station. • Detail design for the following disciplines: • Track • (ii) Signalling / control systems in association with the panel at Goodbarrow and St Blazey Signal boxes. • (iii) Telecoms • (iv) Electrical & Plant • (v) Civils • Commence Station Change for alterations at Newquay. • Commence Network Change • Commence statutory process relating to level crossing alterations Necessary Consents to be obtained by Network Rail • Network Rail to submit Station Change, • Network Rail to submit Network Change, • Network Rail to seek environmental consents

Mid Cornwall Metro Implementation Agreement [Award]

An Implementation Agreement with respect to the 'Mid-Cornwall Metro Enhancement Scheme' to develop i... A Contract Award Notice by Cornwall Council. Value £29M.

bidstats.uk

 

[Gloster]

Is it the intention to close Quintrell Downs crossing, even Chapel and Trencreek?

 

[irish_rail]

Is it the intention to close Quintrell Downs crossing, even Chapel and Trencreek?

I have heard Chapel and Trencreek will close due to the new road bridge going in between the two. Unsure on Quintrell.

 

[D Williams]

Getting way off here but the second platform at Newquay is also to do with the continuation of long distance trains serving the town.

Getting an hourly service on the branch even to Par is going to hugely increase the attractiveness of travelling to or from Newquay by train, the infrastructure is already there on the whole and still has to be maintained and an interior service subsidised, may as well subsidise a decent service.

People won't leave their car behind at home to catch a bus in anywhere near the same numbers as will catch a train.

But why would anyone want to travel from Newquay to Par let alone all the way to Falmouth? Cornwall Council is going bust and cannot afford to subsidise rail services. Other than the strange beings who inhabit County Hall I have yet to meet any normal person who thinks this plan a good idea. ( This is the organisation that just splurged millions on the "saints trail" cycle path that goes nowhere because their pathetically inadequate planning totally underestimated the cost and the likelihood of owners selling the land ). Cornwall Council still has some fantasy that all of the peasants ( me included) in Cornwall will revert to walking and cycling to the nearest railway station then embarking on a journey of nearly two hours leaving the roads free for second home owners, politicians and visitors. This is an organisation that stings everyone else for car parking while continuing to provide this free of charge for themselves. Unfortunately, an intelligence test is not required to become a councillor. Network Fail are happy as they get a bigger train set to play with.

 

[sh24]

The general story of rail expansion is improve/build it, and people will use it. Often in far greater numbers than forecast - see the Waverley/Borders line, London Overground etc etc. Offering an hourly service will encourage people to use it a lot more, and open up journey opportunities that aren't attractive right now.

However the missed opportunity of this expansion was re-routing the Newquay line to St Austell via Parkandillack. That really would have delivered a step change.

 

[RPI]

But why would anyone want to travel from Newquay to Par let alone all the way to Falmouth? Cornwall Council is going bust and cannot afford to subsidise rail services. Other than the strange beings who inhabit County Hall I have yet to meet any normal person who thinks this plan a good idea. ( This is the organisation that just splurged millions on the "saints trail" cycle path that goes nowhere because their pathetically inadequate planning totally underestimated the cost and the likelihood of owners selling the land ). Cornwall Council still has some fantasy that all of the peasants ( me included) in Cornwall will revert to walking and cycling to the nearest railway station then embarking on a journey of nearly two hours leaving the roads free for second home owners, politicians and visitors. This is an organisation that stings everyone else for car parking while continuing to provide this free of charge for themselves. Unfortunately, an intelligence test is not required to become a councillor. Network Fail are happy as they get a bigger train set to play with.

People will though want to travel from Newquay to Truro, Newquay to places where they change at Par, also Par/St Austell to Penryn/Falmouth.

I work these services now and there is significant traffic between Par/St Austell and stations on the Falmouth branch, there's untapped demand from Newquay to Truro and more importantly, vice versa.

I've not met anyone in real life who thinks its a bad idea, Newquay is Cornwall's second largest town yet has a dire rail service that is about to be improved, yet people are still whinging.

Let's not also forget that part of the project is to remove two dangerous level crossings, improve Newquay station which is an absolute s**t hole and gives a terrible first impression to anyone arriving in the town by train, adding an accessible footbridge at Par which is absolutely vital, it's not all about an hourly service from Newquay to Falmouth.

 

[Geoff DC]

A pity Newquay Airport is not included.
Maybe an integrated Airport bus from St Columb Road would work ??

 

[Starmill]

People will though want to travel from Newquay to Truro, Newquay to places where they change at Par, also Par/St Austell to Penryn/Falmouth.

I don't think the post you're replying to here was denying there's a substantial demand between Newquay and Truro. Indeed nobody does deny that.

However, the drive is 25 minutes at uncognested times, typically you'd allow 45 minutes most days, and up to one hour on peak holiday days (except for Boardmasters when you probably need to allow about three hours). The slower times on the 91 are 55 minutes.

Realistically the train won't be competing for this traffic. It will be too slow. Journeys to St Austell will be much improved, as well as the better frequency offering superior connectivity to Liskeard, Plymouth and beyond. But the true market is not there.

If the project yields fewer stops at Par in London trains that would benefit St Austell - Penzance (inclusive) to Liskeard and beyond by speeding them up very slightly, and you rightly point out the terrible access at Par and poor condition of Newquay which are ripe for the work. But these could've been funded without promising to spend tens of millions on the branch.

That's money that could have paid for a station at Long Rock for example, or subsidised the operation of an extra pair of 150s to work the St Ives branch through to Penzance for three years. It could have also been spent as a trial subsidy for a unit to work Bodmin General shuttles for a year, or on work for new stations at Threemilestone or Dobwalls. All would be better value for money than hourly service from Newquay.

 

[CptCharlee]

Really think Newquay-Plymouth regular services would be a better use of the 2nd platform. Where most of the traffic seems to flow from.

 

[irish_rail]

Really think Newquay-Plymouth regular services would be a better use of the 2nd platform. Where most of the traffic seems to flow from.

Tend to agree, trouble is technically Plymouth isn't in Cornwall.

A pity Newquay Airport is not included.
Maybe an integrated Airport bus from St Columb Road would work ??

Completely agree. Newquay Airport is increasingly useful. Aer Lingus offer through journeys to USA now (via Dublin), as well as all the usual Spanish , European destinations from Ryanair and Loganair. It has a decent catchment of Cornwall and the city of Plymouth. What's needed is decent public transport to make it more accessible.

 

[RPI]

That's money that could have paid for a station at Long Rock for example, or subsidised the operation of an extra pair of 150s to work the St Ives branch through to Penzance for three years. It could have also been spent as a trial subsidy for a unit to work Bodmin General shuttles for a year, or on work for new stations at Threemilestone or Dobwalls. All would be better value for money than hourly service from Newquay.

I'm assuming this is satire?

 

[yorksrob]

This scheme is yet another result of Cornwall Council's wild ramblings with regard to transport and a desire by the Tories to prop up support in an area where they have a number of marginal seats. Thousands of houses are being built in or near Newquay mainly on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, another shadowy organisation that hides under a "green" banner but is only interested in profit. Whilst most of the houses will go to the retired from out-of-county and add to the extreme pressure on social services some will need to find a job. I suppose the thinking is that they will travel to St Austell or Truro. Truro to Falmouth is heavily used by Westcountry standards but passengers on the Newquay branch other than holiday weekends, can be counted on the fingers of both hands. The line is rambling, slow, has several level crossings and the only intermediate station in a populated area ( of sorts) is Bugle. Access to all of the stations is poor with no provision for parking or even vehicle access. The Council has some wild idea that all will arrive on a bike.

Another aspiration of the Council is to restore a passenger service between Bodmin and Bodmin Parkway. This is in the local plan but at present is not being actively pursued. Great Western paid for a feasibility study as a part of their contract and the consultants pointed out that there is already a good bus service that is little used. The same can be said for Newquay to St Austell and Truro. But then, what's £50m to government?

I've used the bus between Bodmin Parkway and Padstow (via Bodmin) and it's generally busiest onward from Bodmin.

In my view they ought to open it all the way to Padstow as this hilly route feels unsuitable to road transport.

The Metro concept is a good one. St Austell to Truro and Truro to Falmouth are both well used locally. Newquay has a more threadbare service and doesn't quite go where a lot of people want to. It has potential with these plans.

That's money that could have paid for a station at Long Rock for example, or subsidised the operation of an extra pair of 150s to work the St Ives branch through to Penzance for three years. It could have also been spent as a trial subsidy for a unit to work Bodmin General shuttles for a year, or on work for new stations at Threemilestone or Dobwalls. All would be better value for money than hourly service from Newquay.

Perhaps its my Southern Region roots coming through, but a regular interval service is one of the best improvements that can be made.

 

[Parallel]

Part of me does wonder if the additional service from Newquay should’ve been diverted to Plymouth, acting as an all-station stopper, so some stops could be removed on the Penzance services, however I think this is a good idea in theory, if it wasn’t for the awkward reversal at Par which must limit the appeal somewhat. There are also direct buses from Newquay to both St Austell and Truro, and there’s also a risk that punctuality on the Falmouth branch will decrease.

 

[RPI]

Agreed regarding direct trains to Plymouth, but this project also allows for more direct London services which obviously go to Plymouth and Exeter, if the timing of those is planned then they can also be used for medium distance travel to the likes of Plymouth and Exeter.

 

[Starmill]

Part of me does wonder if the additional service from Newquay should’ve been diverted to Plymouth, acting as an all-station stopper, so some stops could be removed on the Penzance services, however I think this is a good idea in theory, if it wasn’t for the awkward reversal at Par which must limit the appeal somewhat. There are also direct buses from Newquay to both St Austell and Truro, and there’s also a risk that punctuality on the Falmouth branch will decrease.

The more pressing question is what the journey times will typically be from Newquay to Truro and Falmouth. If they're not at least 10-15% better than the existing bus time we've spent all that public money (depriving other parts of the railway of it) on vibes, headlines and egos...

 

[RPI]

The more pressing question is what the journey times will typically be from Newquay to Truro and Falmouth. If they're not at least 10-15% better than the existing bus time we've spent all that public money (depriving other parts of the railway of it) on vibes, headlines and egos...

The removal of two crossings will no doubt help, but you also need to consider that most people will prefer the train, particularly compared to a relatively long bus journey - even if quicker than the train, and the absolutely horrific traffic in and around Newquay in the Summer months. Whilst only once a year, the improved infrastructure will be an absolute god send for when Boardmasters is on, allowing additional London trains as well as maintaining the local service (I appreciate this is an opportunistic benefit that probably won't have factored much into the award of funding for the project).

 

[Starmill]

but you also need to consider that most people will prefer the train, particularly compared to a relatively long bus journey - even if quicker than the train,

So vibes in other words? This is your justification for many tens of millions of pounds of public money? It vibes well?

The removal of two crossings will no doubt help,

So that's about 90 seconds between them. Where's the other 26ish minutes we're looking for off the Par - Newquay time going to come from?

 

[3RDGEN]

Isn't part of the plan for direct trains to Falmouth to provide better/quicker links to the University campus at Penryn for potential students in the areas from Newquay down to Par and St Austell? The extra platform and loop will allow the hourly local service to run alongside the London services whereas now the local service is removed to allow the Plymouth/London services to run, so both markets are served.

 

[Wolfie]

Tend to agree, trouble is technically Plymouth isn't in Cornwall.


Completely agree. Newquay Airport is increasingly useful. Aer Lingus offer through journeys to USA now (via Dublin), as well as all the usual Spanish , European destinations from Ryanair and Loganair. It has a decent catchment of Cornwall and the city of Plymouth. What's needed is decent public transport to make it more accessible.

My proud Devonian friend, who believes that there be devils after the Cornish border, says that there is no "technically" about Plymouth not being in Cornwall lol.....

 

[stuu]

Since when did county boundaries become a factor in planning train services?