NEWQUAY LAND 'KEY' TO RAIL LINK PLANS

11.59.00am GMT Wed 20th Feb 2008

Stephen Gilbert (left) discusses the rail link plan with FoCAL's Alan Nicholson and Dan Rogerson MP (right)

Plans to create a dedicated Newquay to St Austell rail service received a boost this week as North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson leant his support.

Representatives from locally based FoCAL (Friends of the Atlantic Coast Line) met with North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson and Newquay's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert to discuss the matter.

FoCAL have devised a comprehensive plan for the regeneration of the station and the Newquay-Par line. Their plans are to improve the service and increase frequency and flexibility in an effort to attract more users.

Key to the future plans is a narrow strip of grassy land just a few yards wide that runs alongside the platform and is owned by the Co-Operative. This land is needed for use as a second line allowing for a greater variety and more frequent service.

Stephen Gilbert, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Newquay and St Austell, said: "This is something not only for Newquay but for Cornwall, and this strip of land is vital in terms of building capacity and regeneration of the whole area."

Dan Rogerson, MP for North Cornwall, said: "This land could change the nature of the whole station. Hopefully I can help secure the appropriate meetings with various authorities, particularly those out of county.

"There are so many plans for the area in terms of growth and housing that this could be a great opportunity to put in place a more sustainable and effective transport system before the growth really starts."