A major new transport hub - the first of its kind in Cornwall - opens to the public today, connecting the county with the rest of the UK.

The £5.4 million ‘multi modal hub,’ as it’s officially known, has been created at St Erth to link the main rail line through Cornwall with the A30.

It is also providing easier access to the St Ives, through the bus network and the rail park and ride, which will now have more carriages added thanks to an extended platform.

The aim is to encourage more people to travel by public transport and reduce delays by linking rail, bus, walking and cycling facilities all in one location.

There are two new car parks with 516 parking spaces, plus charging points for electric vehicles at the station, while buses will be able to drive directly into the station to connect with trains.

Increased train services began on May 20 and should be increased again to every 30 minutes come December, with an extra 4,200 seats available every day between Plymouth and Penzance.

The hub also includes new pedestrian crossings, an improved footway between the station and the village of St Erth, and improved cycle storage.

The scheme has been developed through a partnership between Cornwall Council, Network Rail, Great Western Railway and Highways England.

There is also a bid in for funding from the government’s Access for All programme for a future scheme, to replace the current footbridge at St Erth with step free access between platforms and to the car parks.

Geoff Brown, cabinet member for transport at Cornwall Council, said: “We want to encourage local residents, visitors and commuters to use public transport to travel to work, and for health, education, shopping and leisure rather than using their cars.

“We are working hard through our One Public Transport Scheme for Cornwall to provide a joined up public transport system across rail, bus and ferry services to provide regular, convenient, reliable transport for residents and visitors.”

It is the latest project to benefit from a £36 million package of investment won by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and the government’s Local Growth Fund to improve public transport in Cornwall.

Funding has also been provided by Cornwall Council and the European Regional Development Fund.