JULIA'S "NUMBER 1" CAMPAIGN PAYS OFF AS NEW RAIL SERVICE BEGINS

3.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th May 2009

£7.8 million of investment works have been completed on the Falmouth branch line to more than double the service! The new timetable will be running from the 19th May.

The new timetable means that services between Truro, Penryn and Falmouth will run every half an hour meaning there will be 29 services a day, more than double the number running previously.

The works included creating a passing loop at Penryn station enabling the two way movement of trains making the extra services on the new timetable possible. The platform at Penryn was also extended to allow for additional passengers.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy MP said:

"Commuters, visitors and students alike will all benefit from a more regular and reliable service between Falmouth and Truro. These improvements will get traffic off our congested roads, just before Cornwall's busiest time of year. It really is great news.

"Now the rail improvements are in place, it's now essential that sufficient rolling stock is in place to make the most of this new and improved service. This is the next challenge that we will be taking to both the Government and First Great Western. "

Truro and St Austell MP Matthew Taylor added:

"Julia Goldsworthy and I worked together with Cornwall County Council to get the funding in place for these improvements. In fact it was the first campaign we launched together, two years before she was elected as an MP. We are delighted that the service will now literally be twice as good!

"A service from Truro to Falmouth every half hour is great news for commuters and other travellers. It is great to know that the new service will also be more reliable than the old one due to modernisation of the signalling system. By also reducing car use between Truro and Falmouth it will also be great for the environment."