NEWQUAY and Falmouth – two of Cornwall's biggest tourist resorts – could be linked by a direct rail service, it can be revealed.

First Great Western's general manager for the West of England, Julian Crow, told the Newquay Guardian the ambitious link is being considered by the company and partner agencies.

It is believed the link would see the current Newquay-Par branch line extended, running to St Austell, Truro and then on to Falmouth.

It would link up two of Cornwall's biggest tourism hotspots as well as allowing commuters direct access to Truro and St Austell, without changing trains.

"We are looking into seeing if it would be possible to get a direct link between Newquay and Falmouth," said Mr Crow.

Improvements

"It would be a great thing, if we can do it, but whether there is a genuine business case for it, I don't know. It's something that we will keep an eye on."

Mr Crow said any prospect of the Newquay-Falmouth link could depend on the eco town proposals for the Clay Country region.

"It is just possible that the eco town project could help drive through improvements to services on the main line at Truro and make the Newquay-Falmouth link more achievable," he said.

"We are working closely with Cornwall Council and the Regional Development Agency to promote rail services, constantly looking to see where we can add value to the services we offer."

Currently, the Newquay-Par branch line sees trains arrive into Par Station and go onto a 'third line'. Commuters then change trains for the main line service to St Austell.

They would then have to change again, at Truro, to catch a service to Falmouth.

The new link could see services continue on from Par station, reversing out of the station, onto St Austell, Truro and then down to Falmouth.

News of the possible link has been welcomed by Newquay-Par branch line support group, the Friends of the Atlantic Coast Line (FoCAL).

Geoff Mason-Brown, from the group, said: "I think it is fabulous news – it would be a great boost for all the towns concerned.

"It is great to think that people in Newquay and St Austell could get a direct train to Falmouth.

" It would be great for locals and for tourists alike."

Passenger numbers on the Newquay-Par branch line continue to grow, with a 61.2% increase, year-on-year.

Richard Burningham, from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership said plans are also afoot to reduce journey time between Newquay and Par.

"Currently, it takes the local trains around 50 minutes and the larger, heavier London trains about an hour.

"There has been considerable maintenance work done on the line by Network Rail and we are now working towards reducing the journey time.

"This would encourage more people to use the service and a reduced time for any future link between Newquay and Falmouth."