As part of the project, around 2.4km of new track was laid down, and 3,600 new sleepers and more than 400t of new ballast were installed. Credit: Network Rail.

The UK’s Network Rail has announced that it has completed the renovation of St Ives Bay line between Carbis Bay and St Ives in Cornwall.

The company claimed that this £3m railway project is its biggest track investment in Cornwall since 1950.

Services on the line resumed after the completion of the five-week project, which aimed to increase consistency and capacity on the track.

As part of the project, around 2.4km of new track was laid down, and 3,600 new sleepers and more than 400tof new ballast were installed.

To minimise disturbance to inhabitants, Network Rail engineers utilised electric and solar lighting as they produce no CO₂ emissions or noise pollution.

Network Rail project manager Lee Hildreth said: “We are delighted to have completed our work on the St Ives bay line which marks the biggest track upgrade in the county for over 60 years.

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“Despite a number of challenges, particularly the severe weather Cornwall has faced over the past month, it is really pleasing to have finished this important work which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the local community by helping to provide a more reliable railway for passengers in Cornwall. We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we have completed this work and look forward to welcoming passengers back on board.”

GWR West regional station manager Mark Chorley said: “We are pleased to resume train services on the St Ives Bay line today after a five-week period of upgrades. The work will help to keep our services on the branch line running reliably and provide a smoother ride for our customers.

“While Network Rail upgraded the line, we continued to keep our customers moving, but with a longer, road journey. We thank them for their patience during this time and look forward to welcoming them back on-board our trains.”

In addition, Network Rail has announced that it will finish the £17m upgrade work on the line from Southampton Central to Brockenhurst and Romsey between 13 and 19 February.

To improve the railway and freight services, around 1.6km of new track, 22 new signals, and 14 new sets of switches and crossings have been installed on the track.