Conservative Transport spokesman highlights importance of rail link to West Cornwall

THERESA VILLIERS, the Shadow Transport Secretary, has conducted a fact-finding tour of the western area of Cornwall to see at first hand the major transport issues affecting the county.  Her visit took in the First Great Western Night Riviera sleeper service from London to Cornwall and also the Helston Rail Preservation Company at the Trevarno Estate, a social enterprise restoring a section of the old Helston branch line and now has twenty active volunteers and over 800 supporters.

She began her visit to the region by travelling overnight on the sleeper train service to Cornwall.  The Night Riviera Sleeper service offers a vital link between Cornwall and London for tourists, businesses and local residents.

Derek Thomas, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate said: “This was a great opportunity for Theresa Villiers to experience the Night Riviera service from London to Cornwall.  I want West Cornwall to be a place where businesses can flourish.  Our transport network is an essential part of the equation if we are to achieve this”.
 Theresa Villiers also visited the Helston Rail Preservation Company, a social enterprise which aims to re-open a section of the former Helston Branch Line.  She was able to see first-hand the great progress that has been achieved in  the three years since it started work in April 2005.  Starting with an overgrown track bed, volunteers have cleared and made ready about a mile of the formation, and about 1/4 of a mile of track at the railway's base in Trevarno Gardens has been laid.  The project managers hope to be able to open the first section of the line to passengers by the end of the year.

Following the visit Derek said “The amount of work achieved over such a short time is impressive.  Furthermore, when completed, the ‘branch-line’ will be an important asset to our town Centre.  The intention to transport people to and from Trevarno Garden Estate via this unique ‘Park and Ride’ will attract many new visitors to Helston.  This is a great effort and an inspiration to other voluntary projects”

Ms Villiers' visit to Cornwall also included a detailed briefing on the plans to develop the sea link between Penzance and St Mary's, a visit to a charity run cafe which employs people with disabilities and a meeting with the campaign to improve the A30.