A week tomorrow (Tuesday 27 February), Network Rail will begin the final phase of signalling modernisation in Cornwall.

That work will finish on Sunday 10 March, and the following Saturday (16 March), Network Rail will start six days of work in the Plymouth area.

These two pieces of work will bring to a conclusion the major programme of improvements to signalling systems in Devon and Cornwall, which Network Rail promises will improve the resilience, reliability and safety of train services in south west England.

Workers are replacing life-expired signals with a new digital system, which will also facilitate the provision of real-time information to passengers.

Over recent months, contractor Siemens has installed new equipment and signals, and has laid new cables over a total of sixty-six miles of railway. The final phase of work will bring the new system into use, and will transfer control of train movements to the regional signalling centre at Exeter, for Cornwall, and Plymouth, for the Devon section.

Cornwall’s new signalling will come into use on Monday 11 March, and Devon’s will become operational on Friday 22 March.

The project also involves one of the largest programmes of track work ever carried out in Cornwall, as a team of more than one hundred workers installs new equipment across a fifty-mile site. The work will ease congestion at Truro, and workers will also remove redundant equipment and lay new track, sleepers and ballast.

Network Rail will also finish work on new level crossings, at Truro and Lostwithiel, that will help to reduce delays and improve safety.

GWR is asking passengers to check their journeys before travelling. The operator has arranged for buses to replace trains when these routes are closed:

• Tuesday 27 February to Sunday 3 March: between St Austell and St Erth (including the branch line to Falmouth Docks)
• Monday 4 to Friday 8 March: between Liskeard and St Erth (including branch lines to Newquay and Falmouth Docks)
• Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 March: between Plymouth and St Erth (including branch lines to Looe, Newquay and Falmouth Docks)
• Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 March: between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth
• Monday 18 to Thursday 21 March: between Totnes and Plymouth (extending to Exeter St Davids after 21:40 each night)

More information is available on the GWR website.

Network Rail sponsor Paul Collyer said, “This is the final chapter of our programme to bring a new system of signals to the region.

“There is never a good time to close the railway but we need to do this so our teams can work round the clock as safely and efficiently as possible. We’d like to thank our passengers for their patience and urge them to check before they travel.

“The new technology will improve reliability in the region and unlock future development of the railway in the area, including the new Mid Cornwall Metro scheme.”

GWR Station Manager for West Cornwall Sharon Holloway said, “This vital improvement work is being conducted in two phases over the next few weeks, first in Cornwall between St Austell and Penzance and then affecting trains through Devon from Plymouth through to Exeter.

“If you are travelling during the period, please check in advance at GWR.com, especially if you are travelling regularly, as replacement buses will be in operation, and your journey may be different on different days.

“Thank you in advance for your patience while Network Rail carry out this significant work.”

Siemens Mobility senior project manager Stephen Mills said: “We are delighted to have worked with Network Rail for the delivery of this programme and proud to be part of enhancing the railway in both Devon and Cornwall.

“Our site teams have been working hard in Devon and Cornwall for past 18 months to get to this point and we look forward to seeing the new signalling system running the railway into the future.”