THREE of the surviving signalboxes in Cornwall which control an array of semaphore and colour light signals are earmarked for closure by November 2023, as part of a mid-Cornwall resignalling project.
Under the scheme, the ’boxes at Lostwithiel, Par and Truro will close and control will transfer to the regional operating centre at Exeter. Also included in the plan will be sections of the line east of Plymouth. Furthermore, there will be crossing upgrades on the Looe branch.
Plans to replace all of the signalboxes in Cornwall were first mooted back in 2016, but the cost was £200m and the scheme was rejected by the Office of Rail and Road. This revised scheme to replace three ‘boxes will cost around £40m.
What is driving the issue is a shortage of signalling staff and reliability problems with the track circuit equipment coupled with a lack of spare parts. Siemens has won the contract to replace the signalling.
Scope
The mid-Cornwall scheme will see the retention of Liskeard signalbox for the time being, but west of there, a new workstation on the Exeter panel will control from Largin viaduct, through Lostwithiel (where some china clay
