Champagne on the train as extra trips boost branch line

By mjago

CHAMPAGNE on the train marked the launch of three extra weekday journeys on the Par to Newquay branch line.

On Tuesday morning, Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, was among those who gathered at Par station to celebrate and try out the new service.

The increased service 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).

The group's chairman, Jim Cleare, 64, said: "It was a great morning.

"We gathered on the platform and had two minutes' silence at 11.30am before the train left at 11.41am.

"The extra trains will make travelling to Newquay from Par more flexible in the week – especially for commuters."

He said he recognised what people really wanted was to be able to get from Newquay to St Austell in the mornings for work.

He hopes connecting services can be arranged to make this possible.

The group who travelled and toasted the new service on Tuesday arrived in Newquay for a hotel reception.

Mr Cleare, from Luxulyan, said: "It would be good to have more trains on the weekend – but for that we need more lines, as any intercity trains coming into Newquay on Saturday or Sunday block the line up.

"We are hoping to be able to have a piece of the track on the way to St Dennis laid to get that into use and there is some pressure for this to happen with the plans for an eco-town."

The two-carriage train rolled into Newquay Station 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.

Speaking to a crowd as she got off the train at Newquay, Lady Mary 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 what can be considered to be a new dawn for rail services in the area."

The new weekday times for trains from Par to Newquay, from December 15, will be 6.03am, 9.19am, 12.11pm 2.07pm, 4.10pm, 6.29pm and 8.30pm.

Trains will leave Newquay for Par at 6.57am, 10.13am, 1.03pm, 2.59pm, 5.22pm, 7.21pm and 9.25pm.