Councillors from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly welcomed yesterday’s announcement by Transport Minister Norman Baker MP that the Government has given the go ahead to the proposals for St Mary’s and Penzance Harbours, subject to final clearances and securing European funding.
The announcement follows a meeting between West Cornwall MP Andrew George, Councillor Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Waste; Councillor Chris Thomas, Chair of the Council of the Isles of Scilly Transport Committee, and Councillor Phil Rendle, the Mayor of Penzance, and Baker in July during which the group stressed the critical importance of the scheme to the Scillies and Penzance.
The news means that the works, which involve dredging at Penzance harbour and pier widening and improved freight handling facilities at St Mary’s harbour can now go ahead, subject to final clearances and securing European funding.
Councillor Biscoe said: “This is a crucial step along the way as it will help to unlock the complete finance package. Mr Baker’s long journey with us will now begin to show positive results and lay the foundations for the future evolution of Penzance.”
Councillor Amanda Martin, Chair of The Council of the Isles of Scilly, added: “The Council of the Isles of Scilly is delighted that the project to develop the Quays at St Mary’s and Penzance has moved another step forward to approval, we would like to thank the DFT and Cornwall Council for all their hard work.”
