Future of St Blazey depot uncertain as DB Cargo vacates site

The future of St Blazey depot in Cornwall is uncertain after DB Cargo vacated the site.

The freight operator stopped moved out on July 5 and is now basing its china clay operations for Imerys out of Goonbarrow, further along the Newquay branch.

DBC told RAIL that its operations at St Blazey consisted of a maintenance shed and train crew depot. There are also some disused sidings.

A spokesman said: “Given the volume of work we currently undertake in the Cornwall area (we only operate three trains a week for Imerys) the cost of maintaining these facilities does not make good economic sense, hence our decision to relocate.

“Our intention now is to dispose of the site.”

The track serving the turntable at the DBC-owned depot will be maintained to ensure it can still be used by those who need it.

One of those is MPower Kernow, a social enterprise that teaches engineering and construction skills to disadvantaged youngsters.

MPower took on a 25-year lease for part of the site just over two years ago. Its first project was to restore the turntable, work which won an award at the 2023 National Railway Heritage Awards.

St Blazey depot has existed since 1874.