NEWLYN'S Harbour Commissioners have vowed to deliver major changes to the port despite recently rejecting £3 million in grants to build a new fish market.

Among the improvements promised are a new electronic auctioning clock – a system widely used in other major ports such as Plymouth and Brixham.

The pledge forms part of an open letter being sent to every household and business in Newlyn to reaffirm the commissioners' commitment to the future success of the fishing industry in Newlyn.

Gilbert McCabe, chairman of Newlyn Pier and Harbour, says the aim of the letter is to make clear, in light of recent rumours, the reason why they voted to decline the grants.

He explained: "There are rumours such as because the market has not gone ahead that's the end of regeneration in Newlyn. People feel the market would have unlocked every opportunity.

"But we are looking to the future, step by step."

Mr McCabe says the community will have to continue using the existing market for a period of time.

But he said the industry could see the much awaited electronic auctioning clock being installed within the next two years.

He continued: "I think it would be safe to say that the commission anticipates that there will be an electronic auctioning clock.

"But it is like building a virtual building that has to be created to meet our specifications and that takes time so we'd like to seen that happening within the next two years."

The letter reads: "This decision was not a popular one with the wider community, who felt that we have brought an end to the regeneration of Newlyn, and to the fishing industry. Our view is the reverse: that we have secured the future management of our own finances, and our assets, so we can deliver what is needed.

"All the commissioners are committed to the future success of the fishing industry in Newlyn, which in itself is the key to the future prosperity of the town. We chose to go about the process of regeneration very differently from our predecessor commission. The way forward is to prepare a sound business plan looking forward 5 and ten years, ideally by Christmas. It will concentrate on how we will strengthen our harbour, fish auction and operational position so that we will be able to make decisions for the harbour and the community's future from a position of financial strength."