RAIL passengers are being asked to plan their journeys between Newquay and Par in advance as services will now be impacted for longer to allow the final stage of engineering work for Mid Cornwall Metro to be completed.

Work on the branch line is taking place to bring a new digital signal system into use along with a second platform at Newquay, meaning buses are running in place of trains between Newquay and Par. Trains were expected to return on Saturday, November 8 but more time is needed until Tuesday, November 18 to complete the required testing of the new signals.

Buses will continue to replace trains from Newquay to St Austell and passengers at Par should take the train to St Austell and change for buses towards Newquay. Trains will still run from Par towards Plymouth and Penzance.

When complete, the work will pave the way for an hourly train service to run between Newquay and Par from next year, more than doubling the current service, with a direct link from Newquay to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro set to follow. Newquay will also have two operational platforms for the first time since 1987.

Mid Cornwall Metro is funded by Government and Cornwall Council and being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.

Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director Bogdan Lupu said: “We’re really sorry to passengers for the extended delay. Signalling is the most complex work we undertake on the railway and unfortunately we need longer than planned to complete the required testing. Safety is always our number one priority and we can only reopen the railway when the signals have been thoroughly tested and are ready to use.

“Passengers planning to travel between Newquay and Par are advised to plan their journeys in advance at GWR.com as replacement bus services will be in place, meaning journey times may be extended.”

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.

“We recognise how frustrating it is that these works are taking longer than expected, and we are really sorry. It is however really important to complete them before we can introduce these services in the future.

"During the period 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 continue to 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."