THE first phase of the £56.8-million Mid-Cornwall Metro will launch with an hourly service between Par and Newquay on Sunday, May 17.

The new Mid Cornwall Metro will see the near doubling of trains on the branch line, which will provide the best train service on the route since the 1960s.

Fifteen local trains will run between Par and Newquay Monday to Friday, 14 on Saturdays and eight on Sundays, a new record for the Atlantic Coast line and a welcome boost to the regional economy.

Direct summer services between London Paddington and Newquay are due to be reinstated taking the number of weekday services to 17.

Improvements to the infrastructure have been made by Network Rail to enable the service, including bringing back into passenger use platform two at Newquay station and a passing point which allows two trains to operate on the branch at the same time.

The Mid Cornwall Metro is also thanks to the introduction of Class 175 trains, bringing enhanced capacity and comfort for passengers, and will help drive performance improvements and reliability. The trains began their phased introduction from December last year.

The new services will be followed by a phase two next year, extending services through to Truro, Penryn and Falmouth, which it is hoped will further open up opportunities for tourism, education, training and employment.

The Mid Cornwall Metro project is backed by Government Levelling Up funding, Cornwall Council and the rail sector.

Funding has also brought pay-as-you-go ticketing to Cornwall, giving residents access to the best value on the day fares.

Travelling on a special test train ahead of the new service commencing, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, Cllr Dan Rogerson, said: “Mid Cornwall Metro is about giving residents simple, reliable and more sustainable ways to travel across central Cornwall.”

Matt Barnes, GWR head of strategic service development, added: “The start of the Mid Cornwall Metro is a landmark moment, not just for the branch line, but for Cornwall as a whole. We know from experience the difference a step change in train services can make, whether that's through more frequent services or new stations.

“This will encourage more people to travel by train to Cornwall and around it, and that is good for communities, good for the economy and good for the environment."

Chris Fuoco, Devon and Cornwall programme director for Network Rail, said: “This is a significant milestone for rail in Cornwall and a testament to the strong partnership that has delivered Mid Cornwall Metro.

“These improvements will make a real difference for residents, businesses and visitors by providing more frequent, dependable journeys and better connections across central Cornwall.”

Richard Burningham of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: “This is a massive step change in Newquay's train service and has been long sought.

“Hats off to Cornwall Council, GWR, the Government and all who have made it possible.

“We look forward to many more local people taking the train and to more tourists and day trippers visiting Newquay by train, boosting the town's economy.”