Penzance Harbour to undergo major transformation

It's been made possible following investment from the Government's Town Deal fund

Penzance Harbour is set to undergo a major transformation over the next few years.

The start of the harbour’s modernisation plans have been made possible following investment from the Government’s Town Deal fund.

The project will be delivered by Cornwall Council on behalf of Penzance Town Deal Board, who say it covers several aspects:

• A new freight handling facility at West Quay and improved access for road users between The Quay and Battery Road. The work will start next month with the demolition of the Boston Shed. Further buildings on West Quay will be removed in 2025 to make way for the new freight-handling facility. This will mean heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will no longer have to park on the main road
• New engineering workshops and harbour welfare facilities for resident and visiting boats on the harbour’s North Arm. The Rank building will be refurbished to house marine engineering facilities, alongside a new harbour office and new accessible shower and toilet facilities and a laundrette area for visiting boats
• A new fully accessible pontoon to cater for the growing demand from cruise ships and visiting crafts
• New boat lift crane, eco-friendly marine wash bay and improved winter boat storage facilities
• Enhancement of the public spaces to improve safety of walking and cycling routes
• Modernisation of the harbour facilities

Martin Tucker, Penzance Town Deal Board chair, said: "The Town Deal fund is a unique opportunity that won’t present itself again to improve the efficiency of our harbour, improve accessibility and safety, support the local community of leisure boat owners.

"The project will also have the ripple effect of increasing trade for local businesses to the islands and grow our visitor economy."

James Broughton, Penzance Harbour Master, said: "As a commercial harbour one of our statutory duties includes the requirement to operate efficiently and safely.

"Penzance Harbour welcomes around 115,000 passengers and 16,000 tonnes of freight per year to and from the Scilly Isles, plus additional boat trips. However, we lack sufficient space for HGVs to deliver goods or for cars to drop passengers, resulting in long vehicles queues, congestion in the town and a significant risk of accidents.

"We have been working with all our key stakeholders in the past 12 months, including local businesses on the harbour to shape a cost-efficient modernisation plan that addresses the users’ needs and support the future sustainability of the harbour."

The Harbour is managed by Cornwall Harbours Board who have an agreement with Cornwall Council following a new Harbour Revision Order made in 2023.

The Harbour modernisation is one of seven projects in Penzance and Newlyn successful in securing funding from the Government’s Town Deal Fund as part of its Levelling Up initiative.

Penzance Town Deal Board in partnership with Cornwall Council successfully bid for a Town Deal worth £21.5 million to support a range of projects that they say will contribute to the town’s regeneration and boost the local economy.

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