Dignitaries celebrate increased rail services for Newquay
A new dawn in rail services for Newquay was heralded by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall as a party atmosphere transformed the town's railway station.
Lady Mary Holborow, along with a host of other dignitaries, were guests of honour on a special train journey that marked an increase in passenger services between Newquay and Par.
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The two-carriage train rolled into Newquay Station on Tuesday last week as the sound of a brass band filled the air.
The special promotional train marked an increase in passenger services, which will rise from four to seven from December 8 this year.
The increase was hailed as a massive boost for the local economy and marks the culmination of a two-year battle by campaign group Friends of Atlantic Coast Line (FOCAL) to improve services.
Speaking to a crowd as she got off the train at Newquay Station, Lady Mary Holborow said: "Many, many congratulations to the FOCAL group who have worked so hard with First Great Western to achieve something really good.
"It is a joy to be here to mark this day and to be here and what can be considered to be a new dawn for rail services in the area."
Cornwall and Devon Media – publishers of The Newquay Guardian and Cornish Guardian series - teamed up the FOCAL group and First Great Western to offer a number of readers free tickets for the special journey.
On board, the lucky winners and dignitaries were treated to a champagne reception and were shown a short video of a concept for the future of Newquay Railway Station.
Cllr Lynda Cherry, Mayor of Newquay, paid her tributes to the efforts of the FOCAL group and said the service increase would be a major boost for Newquay and Restormel as a whole.
Speaking on the platform, she told the crowd: "Welcome to the most wonderful station in Cornwall.
"It is great news that there will now be more trains running between Newquay and Par – including earlier and later services.
"This means that commuters – especially those to Plymouth - will actually be able to use the trains to get in to work earlier or stay later."
Former Newquay Mayor, Cllr Pat Lambshead, who acted as the welcome party, added: "I greatly welcome this increase in the number of trains. Hopefully it will be a permanent increase and it will help to reduce the number of car journeys into Newquay, cutting down on congestion in the town.
"I think it will also have a tremendous benefit to both the environment, reducing Cornwall's carbon footprint.
"Tourism could also benefit hugely from this, with more trains bringing people into the area."
5 Comments
by Tony Rowe, Porthcothan and London
Thursday, November 05 2009, 8:21AM
“Any increase on Cornwall branch lines is good news but a fast early a.m service to Plymouth and a return in the evening would add much more. Taunton has a service to Bristol and Cardiff using a real train of five cars and a loco at each end.\this could take working folk into Plymouth quicker than 21/4 hours.How about a buffet car? Two locos have to be used because short- sightedness allowed the passing loops to be removed at Newquay and elsewhere.It will all have to be replaced soon due to demand.Newquay has so much more potential to explore all year round and the railway as always can be core to it.People want lorrys off the road but all freight and every supermarket in Cornwall has only road deliveries.In Scotland now many supermarkets and even Eddy Stobart are using container trains from the Midlands to the far north.Why dont we see this in the south- west? In 2010 Newquay should have a train service in line with Penzance it is almost as large and in summer even a sleeper train from London would be very useful. A two carriage local service increased by a few trains is still good news, but not proving the capabilities of rail-being too slow to commute to Plymouth realistically when a train that only stopped at Par and then stations on the main line i.e. Bodmin Liskeard would be fast enough to contemplate in a days work Well done to those involved, it is a good start.”
by S M Shard, newquay
Sunday, November 16 2008, 2:45AM
“As one of the few commuters who regularly uses the national rail network this is great news especially the early service. Unfortunately a regular bus service from Newquay to Par would be far quicker, more efficient and certainly more environmently friendly, 2hrs 15mins from Newquay to Plymouth on the train is a short break not a commute.
Newquay has many great assets common sence and good leadership need to be the driving force.”
by Dooby Duck, On the Disco Bus
Friday, November 14 2008, 9:58AM
“Is it as dear as the St Ives Bay Line?
£4 flat fare, whether it's one way, return or all day. Well yes, that's good value for all day, but it certainly isn't for a one-way ticket.
Did I mention there are no discounts for YP Railcards? What the hell is that all about - surely that's illegal.
I just get the bus.”
by susan bowie, newquay
Thursday, November 13 2008, 11:48PM
“this is brilliant news for those of us that have to travel from newquay to plymouth every day. but are you aware that if you look on the tiemtable information on the great western website they state that buses will be replacing trains between newquay and par starting on the 8th december till 12th december. good start to the new services eh?”
by John Ball, Falmouth
Thursday, November 13 2008, 9:24PM
“This is good news. The Newquay branch has long been the Cinderella of the Cornish railway network. But it's likely to be 'use it or lose it', so it's down to the good folk of Newquay to get on the train!”