THERE?is a brand new look to railway stations in the Tamar?Valley.

The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is pioneering a new project that it is hoped will bring greater awareness of the country's protected landscapes. 

It has led to new branded signage being installed at three gateway railway stations – Calstock, Gunnislake and Bere Alston.

As well as the destination name, each sign includes the words 'Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site' and 'Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.'

The scheme was implemented by management consultant Barry Gamble. He worked with the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, which promotes travel on rural branch lines, and First Great Western. Funding was provided by these and the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project and the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Mr Gamble said: 'It is hoped that the new signs will flag up the fact that both visitors and the local community are in a unique and very special part of the British countryside.

'They will also help to raise awareness of the unique qualities of our protected landscapes.

'Sustainable transport is in all our minds when we seek to encourage new audiences to experience the valley, particularly from Plymouth, a city with which we have a very special and long standing relationship.'

Plymouth Station will soon be having its own heritage signs and each station on the branch line will host new orientation and interpretive signs.