Over the past weekend I was pleased to see the Railways Minister confirm that a huge infrastructure project with big positive implications for Truro and Falmouth, the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme, has won approval to proceed through to the next stage of development.
This is an ambitious scheme to link Newquay, St Austell,
Truro and Falmouth with a direct rail line, creating a coast to coast
through-service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and
Falmouth. It will reduce journey times and ease road congestion for people
living along the route.
This is a proposal that I have worked with my colleague and
neighbouring Member of Parliament Steve Double to get support from Cornwall
Council and the Government and I am pleased to see it continuing to gather
momentum.
This project will allow people in Truro quicker access to
the coasts of our beautiful Duchy by rail, and in particular a route for
students in Falmouth and Penryn a direct line to Newquay and the many excellent
leisure opportunities on the north coast.
Additional funding will now be provided from the Department
for Transport via the Restoring your Railways fund, to Network Rail to work
with Cornwall Council in progressing the scheme to the required standard.
I look forward to the project continuing to proceed as we go
down the tracks towards a successful outcome and will continue to work with all
concerned to make this a reality
Ironically, with this great news for our rail network for
Truro and Falmouth announced over the weekend, the railway strikes next week,
supported by the Labour front bench, will bring the country to a standstill.
Regular commuters will be forced to find alternative transport, increasing
congestion on our roads and causing major delays.
Cornwall will be without rail service on the 21st, 23rd and
25th of June.
Here in Truro and Falmouth, the Falmouth branch line which
is vital in transporting students to Falmouth School and Penryn College will be
closed. This will without a doubt cause congestion on our roads, possibly
resulting in late attendance for many students. This is not good enough.
Throughout the pandemic, the Government firmly supported the
railway industry, providing £16 Billion in financial support. This allowed for
vital transport links to be maintained for key workers and meant that not a
single job was lost as a result of the pandemic.
Across the country, people are feeling the pinch of rising
living costs. This is not the time for rail unions to hold the public to
ransom, and the Labour Front Bench’s support of these moves, at this time in
particular are shameful. They say they are on the side of working people but in
reality at time where our Government is supporting the country through the cost
of living crisis, they are supporting conditions that will be stopping millions
from getting to work, a sad situation. I will continue to do all I can to work
with the Government, on behalf of people locally to ensure we get the
support, jobs and investment we need to
see us through the current difficult circumstances.
As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my
team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at
Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. My
regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at
my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any
matters that I can be of assistance with.
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