The Mid Cornwall Metro initiative has been given the go ahead from the Cornish Council. Credit: Network Rail

Cornwall Council in the UK has given the green light for the Mid Cornwall Metro initiative to transform transport links across the region, with work due to start in 2024.

The project will work in partnership with the Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail, with the aim of encouraging sustainable travel across Cornwall.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Serving Cornwall’s largest towns, the coast-to-coast rail service will include Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn. 

The initiative will feature an hourly direct train service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth as well as a doubling of the number of rail services between Newquay and Par.

Cllr Richard Williams-Pears, the Council’s transport portfolio holder, emphasised how this project is the next step in developing the transport system for Cornwall.

Pears said: “This initiative is key to delivering rail and active travel improvements across Cornwall both now and in the future, to enhance the lives of our residents by revolutionising how we can navigate across the Duchy [of Cornwall].

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“The Council has already successfully bid for £50 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, and we recognise the importance of this initiative to enable a levelling up of the local economy and future sustainable growth and investment in Mid Cornwall.

“As well as its green credentials and being a catalyst for economic growth and local regeneration around the stations, I see this as the beginning of a transport revolution for Cornwall with this being the Mid Cornwall section of the eventual Cornwall Metro.”

Cabinet members voted to accept the offer of £50m in Levelling Up Funding towards the delivery of the £56.8m Mid Cornwall Metro scheme.

The Cornish council emphasised how they are the “accountable body” for the project and aim to keep a “tight hold on the purse strings”.

Railway Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Railway Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Winning the Innovation Award in the Reservation Systems category, EAO’s advanced seat reservation system tackles urbanisation and rising mobility demands head on. Explore how its adaptable HMI, modular design and energy saving display technology help operators boost capacity utilisation and improve the passenger experience.

Discover the Impact