strategic planning and transport, said it would be good for the

environment as well as passengers.

"This is a great scheme that by increasing the capacity for

rail passengers, will remove car-users from the congested road

between Truro and Falmouth and reduce environmental

pollution."

The Truro to Falmouth route, which is promoted as The Maritime

Line by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, has witnessed

an increase in passenger numbers of nearly 70 per cent in ten

years.

In 1997, an estimated 156,000 journeys were made on the line,

while a decade later, the number had mushroomed to 261,000

journeys.

Rail Partnership Manager, Richard Burningham, welcomed the

announcement, which is to be made today.

"This is great news.

"The Maritime Line has been getting busier and busier over the

last few years with 67 per cent more passengers using it now

than ten years ago.

"This radical improvement will make the railway better still

for them and attract many more people to the trains.

"My congratulations to Cornwall County Council and the other

partners for pulling this off."

The scheme won backing worth just under £5 million from the

EU's Convergence Programme, plus £2.5 million from Cornwall

County Council and £600,000 from Network Rail.

Train operator First Great Western also gave its support.

Detailed design work is expected to begin in October with a new

timetable commencing next May.

The project will provide a passing loop near Penryn Station and

mean a once-an-hour service will double.

It is also planned that passengers using Truro's new

park-and-ride, which opens in August, will be able to buy

through tickets.

Diana Mompoloki, head of convergence for the South West of

England Regional Development Agency, said the investment would

provide a wider economic boost.

"This improved rail link will have a significant economic

impact, helping to boost productivity by reducing travel times,

reinforcing links and help underpin environmentally sustainable

growth in Truro, Penryn and Falmouth."

Julian Crow, First Great Western's Regional Manager for the

West of England, also welcomed the announcement.

"Cornwall's branch lines are carrying more passengers than ever

and we are really pleased to be working with Cornwall County

Council to make the Truro to Falmouth line so much more useful

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