Published by Sarah Yeoman at 3:59pm 14th February 2020.

Photo: Craig Munday

Rail improvement works are taking place in west Cornwall.

Network Rail will be undertaking viaduct waterproofing and track work in Redruth and Hayle between Saturday 15th and Sunday 23rd February 2020.

Bridge refurbishment work will also be taking place on the St Ives Bay Line between Saturday 15th and Thursday 20th February 2020.

Amended train services and replacement buses will be in operation to keep people moving.

Great Western Railway is reminding customers to check train times carefully before travelling.

"Since the introduction of our brand-new timetable in December, we have been running more trains with greater capacity and improved reliability across the South West.

"Brand-new Intercity Express Trains, specifically designed for Devon and Cornwall, plus the electrification of the track in the Newbury area, have helped bring 24% more seats than before with journeys to London up to 14 minutes quicker.

"This work is important to ensure we continue to improve the reliability of the service and we thank customers for their patience in advance."

Mark Chorley, GWR Regional Station Manager

Amended trains services:

Amended train services will operate from Truro towards Plymouth with roughly one train per hour in each direction.

Buses will replace trains from Penzance to Truro for the nine days, with buses also running between St Erth and St Ives until Thursday 20th February.

Services will still run on the Falmouth branch line but up to 15 minutes later than usual.

Long-distance services from London Paddington to Devon and Cornwall will continue to operate but will terminate at Truro.

Replacement buses will connect with trains, adding up to 50 minutes to journey times. Some train departure times will also be changed, and passengers are advised to check beforehand.

"We thank passengers in advance while we carry out these vital upgrades across Cornwall and remind them to check before they travel.

"The improvements will help provide passengers with more reliable journeys and represents further investment in the railway in Cornwall following recent signalling upgrades in the South West."

Scott Pillinger, Network Rail's programme manager

Further improvements elsewhere in Cornwall are also due to take place this March with buses replacing trains on the following dates:

• Sunday 1st March - Truro to Penzance (including St Erth to St Ives)
• Tuesday 3rd to Thursday 5th March - Liskeard to Looe
• Sunday 8th March - Liskeard to Truro (including the Newquay branch)
• Weekends of 14th/15th and 21st/22nd March - Par to Newquay (buses run from St Austell instead of Par)

For further travel advice and information on the work please visit the website here.