GREAT Western Railway services will be affected by the final piece of engineering work required to introduce some of the planned Mid Cornwall Metro improvements from next year.

The work will allow for the introduction of hourly services between Newquay and Par next year, and direct services between Falmouth and Newquay in the future.

Trains will be affected by engineering work from Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 7.

During this time, no trains will run to and from Newquay, replacement buses are planned between Newquay and St Austell, but trains will still operate at Par station towards Plymouth or Penzance

GWR station manager for West Cornwall, Lee Goodson, said: "This improvement work forms part of the wider plans to enhance train services, making it even easier for people to choose to travel by train across Cornwall, with more frequent services, and direct services between Falmouth and Newquay.

“There is still some work to complete before we can introduce these services, however, including the final improvements required to the signalling equipment.

"During the next week trains will not be able to stop at Newquay, Quintrell Downs, St Columb Road, Roche, Bugle or Luxulyan stations.

"Trains will still run from Par on the Cornish main line and replacement buses will operate on the branch line between Newquay and St Austell.

"It’s important that customers are aware this could make journey times longer, so please plan ahead."

Network Rail lead portfolio manager, George Collinson, said: “This is the final piece of work to help create Mid Cornwall Metro and bring even more people onto the railway.

"We appreciate passengers' understanding. Our work will provide benefits long into the future."

The improvements have been funded by government and Cornwall Council and have been delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.