Scillies ferry link plan under threat now as Government announces transport cuts
Plans for a new Isles of Scilly ferry link could be sunk after the Government announced sweeping cuts to transport as part of its drive to balance the nation's books.
In a move that realised the worst fears of many, Secretary of State Phil Hammond has suspended transport schemes not yet approved pending a major spending review.
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His office confirmed that this would include the £42 million scheme to upgrade the link between the Scilly Isles and Penzance.
The controversial bid finally won backing from Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee when it was presented for a second time in March.
Bitter tourism and business leaders yesterday said that had it been given the nod when first presented in December, it would have been approved and beyond the reach of any economy drive.
Dick Cliffe said the worst case scenario had happened.
"This was the biggest risk," said Mr Cliffe, who runs a guest house in Penzance and helped to found the True Friends of Penzance Harbour which backed the scheme.
"We were always concerned that this would happen if there was any delay. I knew the government would want to be saving enormous sums of money and they would be looking very carefully at some of the big projects."
Business leaders in Penzance warned about the dire effect failing to move on the project would have across the whole of West Cornwall.
On the Scilly Isles, community leaders had said simply that the loss of the scheme would be "catastrophic" to the islands' fragile economy. Mr Cliffe said: "It puts a question mark over the future of Penzance's economy."
Graeme Hicks, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Highways, said Cornwall Council would fight tooth and nail for the project.
"It would be a massive blow to the whole of the West Cornwall if we didn't get it," he said. "But I am an optimist and a fighter and we will be fighting for this."
Mr Hicks said he hoped representatives from the council and the Route Partnership consortium behind the scheme could meet with the minister to press their case.
"I am confident that, if we could sit down with the right people, we could explain the issues about the link being a lifeline for the Scilly Isles and its importance to the economy here. Hopefully these people will listen to us."
However, Mr Hicks added that the three-month delay had resulted in "unfortunate" consequences.
"We have to look forward with this and deal with what is on the table. I truly hope we can work something out. But this kind of delay was exactly what we were warning about last year.
"We wanted to get the scheme through quickly so that we would not be in this position. But now we find it is in jeopardy and that is deeply unfortunate."
The project to upgrade the link between Penzance and the Scilly Isles became fraught after the campaign group Friends of Penzance Harbour objected to plans for a single freight and passenger handling facility.
The group claimed it was destroying a beach as well as important heritage and called for a split site that would have seen freight handled at an out of town depot.
An independent review of this alternative scheme said it would cause prices to rocket on the Scillies, where the community had long backed a scheme to renovate their aging harbour on St Marys.
Members of Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee rejected the plans for Penzance Harbour in December, then did a U-turn and approved them at a subsequent special meeting in March.
The scheme was referred to the regional Government office and was further delayed by the General Election.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said it would be held in limbo while decisions were made about spending cuts across all departments.
"Pending the outcome of the spending review, I am suspending all local transport schemes which are not yet contracted," said Mr Hammond.
"These schemes will be reviewed once the Department's spending allocation is confirmed.
"I am taking this action to ensure that no taxpayers' money is spent unnecessarily on transport schemes that are now under review."
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by John, Falmouth
Monday, June 14 2010, 10:14AM
“"Or was that what Mr George wanted all along for his mate Julie Goldsworthy. Bit of bad news, the electors of Falmouth saw thru her, and she is consigned to the dustbin of history." (Peter B Wellington, Falmouth)
Not quite right - due to constituency changes, Falmouth electors had no choice to vote for or against her because she was not running in the Truro/Falmouth new constituency. To be fair to her, she was a very decent MP.
Because of my employment I can't give my full name, but as Penzance was so ambivalent about the ferry, perhaps Falmouth would appreciate it more. What happens when the present ship is worn out is going to be a problem either way.”
by SarahJ, Cornwall
Monday, June 14 2010, 9:59AM
“I agree Sarah,but compared to the several hundred million pounds a year us tax payer's pay to the private Rail and Bus companies,the sum we pay this ferry company is peanuts,lets stop the lot.
Brian Jenkins, Falmouth
Very well said”
by Pawl, Kernow
Monday, June 14 2010, 9:07AM
“This has nothing to do with the UK government, it is a project which only our country, Kernow, should decide the fate of. Who needs the IoS anyway?”
by newlyn fish, Newlyn, Cornwall
Sunday, June 13 2010, 8:09PM
“This is good news - RIP horrid ferry link, and while we are at it can someone point to Mike Waters & Co. the exit door?”
by eek, penzance
Sunday, June 13 2010, 7:02PM
“Very good news. Saved from waste of money on eyesore that is not needed. If it works don't fix it !”
by Irish Dave, Leedstown
Sunday, June 13 2010, 6:00PM
“Parity of funding with the remote Scottish isles is only fair.
I don't see why the link can't just go from Falmouth though. Surely journey time is not the issue when there is a helicopter link.”
by michael, marazion
Sunday, June 13 2010, 4:04PM
“i was open minded about the various schemes put forward. perhaps if mr hicks could have coped with debate without resorting to personal attacks, things may have progressed. those of us who read 'private eye' have a slightly different take on the personalities involved...especially mr hicks.”
by TimV, Pz
Sunday, June 13 2010, 2:53PM
“This is good news for Penzance inhabitants and Cornwall ratepayers, They would have been saddled with a huge debt and on-going costs if the proposed scheme had been approved. There is no reason why the existing arrangements and vessels should not continue into the foreseeable future, with no detriment to anyone. Penzance has been spared a destructive and ludicrous scheme that would have caused long term damage to its infrastructure and prevented better plans for this historic part of the town. It is hoped that wiser counsels will now prevail, taking on board the many suggestions made during the debate, to regenerate this area and create an area of attractive mixed use that will attract visitors to it and enhance the town. It is for the IoS Shipping Company as a private company to assess its long term needs and submit an application in accordance with existing market and government parameters. There is a clear case for the link to recieve reasonable government support along the lines of the Scottish Islands and this should be pursued by our MP. No doubt we can expect words of gloom and doom from the likes of Mr Waters with a private axe to grind. Watch this space. There is nothing for Penzance to loose in this decision but its chains.”
by Robert, Camborne
Saturday, June 12 2010, 9:00PM
“Well I just hope the Ferry has plenty of years use left in it because it could be many years before a replacement comes now. However I thought the whole point of the scheme was to replace an ageing Ferry and ageing Freighter. But for those who think the Scillies link should not receive any subsidy to replace the boats, this route does not make the profits to cover the cost of replacements so what you are really saying is the Penzance-Scillies link should end when the boat wears out!”
by Peter B Wellington, Wellington House Hotel, Falmouth
Saturday, June 12 2010, 8:51PM
“At last people have realised what Mr Hicks from Cornwall council was saying was indeed true.
The dithering and indecision from the wunderful St Ives MP Mr Andrew George could cost Penzance/IOS the government funding for this link.
Mr Hicks warned time and time again how much trouble this pretty dim MP could cause.
The IOS quite correctly disowned him as their MP.
If only the people of Penzance could do the same.
Well done Mr George. Your Lib Dem party does not want you in the colition government, and the people of Penzance do not want you either.
Hopefully the link will now come to Falmouth.
Or was that what Mr George wanted all along for his mate Julie Goldsworthy. Bit of bad news, the electors of Falmouth saw thru her, and she is consigned to the dustbin of history.
As should Mr George.”