Reliability boost for passengers in Cornwall following extensive viaduct upgrade

Passengers will benefit from improved reliability on journeys through Cornwall after Network Rail completed a programme of work to upgrade Ponts Mill viaduct near St Blazey. 

Work took place to ensure the 152-year-old viaduct, which carries the Newquay branch line over the River Par, remains safe and reliable long into the future.

As a precaution, a 10mph speed limit has been in place, adding to journey times and meaning trains used extra fuel to slow down to travel over the viaduct and then accelerate after crossing. Temporary repairs were carried out in March 2024, but now, after extensive work to strengthen the structure, the speed restriction has been removed and trains are travelling at line speed of 30mph.

During an extended closure of the railway in March, the timber decks of the bridge were removed and replaced with new steel decks, whilst the bridge girders were also strengthened. The rails, sleepers and ballast (track stone) were also replaced, using two 60-tonne cranes to lift material.

With the bridge now strengthened, trains, including freight from the nearby mineral site, can travel over the viaduct without the need to slow down.

Work now continues to paint the steel on the viaduct and repair the stone of the three columns and two abutments.

Network Rail Programme Manager Dan Parkes said:

“We’re grateful to the local community for their patience while we completed the work.

“This has been a major programme to not only protect the Newquay branch line but to preserve an historic structure.”