Cornish Social & Economic Research Group
» News
_______________________________________________
EU approves airport funding
Business Cornwall, 3 July 2009
The European Commission (EU) has approved an additional £24 million of funding to help redevelop Newquay Airport. The EU said it approved the grant because it was satisfied that the airport’s transition to a fully civilian airport conformed to their criteria and was beneficial to the development of Cornwall’s economy. The money, coming from owners Cornwall Council, the EU and the South West Regional Development Agency, will go towards a number of improvements planned at the airport, which hopes to grow passenger numbers from 425,000 a year to 700,000, by 2011. Plans include a new terminal building, a training centre, business park and a hotel and conference facilities.
More from source...www.businesscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Hayle supermarket plans on show
This is Cornwall, 28 June 2009
Plans for a Sainsbury's supermarket and filling station on the outskirts of Hayle were formally unveiled last week. Details of the proposed 32,000 sq ft store, complete with 366-space car park, went on show at the Passmore Edwards Institute on Friday and Saturday. Representatives from the supermarket giant dished out feedback forms and fielded questions from the public ahead of preparing a formal request for planning permission to Cornwall Council.
Nick Bradshaw, Sainsbury's highways consultant, said the scheme would include lane improvements and traffic lights at the Loggan's Moor roundabout. "Parking is at a premium at West Cornwall retail park and we think our development will help alleviate this," he said.
CoSERG Comment
Sainsbury’s proposal for a new store on the outskirts of Hayle has serious implications, particularly for traffic in the area. The store will generate considerable levels of extra traffic. Such a store will attract traffic not only from Hayle but further west – St. Ives and Penzance and also east along the A30 from Camborne-Redruth. Adding traffic lights, and ‘improving’ junctions to accommodate the extra traffic is a short term palliative. There is a fundamental contradiction between the objective of the retailer – to maximise customer numbers and the need to reduce car traffic. In essence out of town shopping centres with ‘free’ car parking should be discouraged.
More from source...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
The land that's worth a fortune
Cornish Times, 26 June 2009
The owners of land which developers are fighting to get their hands on say it isn't for sale at the moment, despite being offered millions of pounds for it. There has been speculation that the 26 acres of land owned by Bradley and Kathrina Ring, opposite Looe Community School, could be sold to supermarket giant Tesco. The couple have been speaking exclusively to the Cornish Times and have confirmed that no money has been offered from a supermarket in the last year, but say they have been inundated with interest from developers, since they bought the land more than 15 years ago. 'I don't want to sell it and I have no intention to sell it,' said property developer Bradley Ring. 'All supermarkets want to get their hands on land in Looe because it would be of great benefit to them.'
Mr Ring who lives in Spain for much of the year and owns many properties there, has been offered £250,000 per acre in the past for his land, amounting to £6.5m.
For more....www.liskeard-today.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Mayor slams four-homes plan for the Gannel
Cornish Guardian, 24 June 2009
Controversial plans to build four homes on the banks of the Gannel have been criticised after council chiefs described it as a "gross overdevelopment" of the site. Developers Acorn applied to Cornwall Council for planning permission to build four detached dwellings on the site of one bungalow on Riverside Avenue, Pentire. However, the plans were slammed by members of Newquay Town Council's planning committee on Monday, who objected to the application. Cllr John Fitter, mayor of Newquay, said Acorn's plans were a "gross intrusion", feeling it was "urbanisation of a rural area".
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Dismay as inspector allows development appeal
West Briton, 18 June 2009
Residents who have spent years battling plans for a major housing development at a former Penryn nursery have been devastated by an appeal ruling to allow it.
Government planning inspector Clive Kirkbride concluded the outline scheme for Gabbon's Nursery at Round Ring met an overriding local need for affordable housing and gave it the go-ahead.
Arguments that it would result in the loss of agricultural land and damage the appearance of the area were not accepted by Mr Kirkbride, who heard evidence from both sides. Eric Dawkins, who has been a spokesperson for residents in the past, said everyone was left disappointed by the result, which would set a precedent for building homes in the countryside across the county. Poltair Developments had twice been refused outline planning permission for the redundant greenfield site, first in 2004, then last summer, after which it lodged the appeal.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Port of Falmouth Development Initiative - looking to the future
Business Cornwall, 18 June 2009
Falmouth Harbour Master and Chief Executive of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, Captain Mark Sansom, told Business Cornwall why Falmouth should not see this as the end of the line and why project supporters should look to the future and alternative options.
He said, "Given what we see as the importance of the project we were obviously disappointed to be told last week that the South West RDA would not be able to provide direct funding for the dredging of Falmouth Harbour. However, while we were hoping to secure funds from the RDA towards this project we are clear that we do not see their decision as the end of the line for our ambitions. We are committed to helping the port realise its potential and believe that there are other possible sources of funding including Convergence that could potentially be used".
For more....www.businesscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Protesters win battle to save green space
This is Cornwall, 17 June 2009
After nearly two years of battling against plans for a service station at Innis Downs (click for map), the protest group fighting to save the green space is victorious. Protest Against Innis Downs (PAID) was formed within days of the plans being submitted to Restormel Borough Council in mid-November 2007.
A planning committee from the council met in December last year and decided to say no to the Innis Downs plan - which was then appealed by applicants Land Planning Group. Phil Cottom, from PAID, said: "We weren't surprised that they appealed against the decision for refusal. We spent a lot of money hiring a solicitor to fight our case at the appeal. It seems to have worked - the appeal has also been turned down and now everyone in the area can breathe a little easier again."
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Gwithian beach is up for sale in July with a guide price of £50,000,
guardian.co.uk, 17 June 2009
It's got everything you could want from a beach: golden sand, rolling dunes, blue seas and views to a distant island, complete with lighthouse – and it could be yours for £50,000. On 13 July, 76 acres of Gwithian beach in Cornwall will be sold by Colliers CRE at its Portman Square auction house. The details for would-be buyers promise "a sandy beach well known for its surfing" situated in the north east of St Ives Bay, "part of the Cornish Riviera". The guide price for the land is £50,000 but Richard Argles from Colliers CRE said it was impossible to say how much it might fetch. "Who can value a beach? You won't be able to put a development on it, but there are 71 acres of sands and five acres of dunes." Argles said. "I've had a telephone bid already and the catalogue is not even out. We are expecting a lot of activity."
For more....The Guardian
_______________________________________________
44,800 families found claiming tax credits here,
West Briton, 16 June 2009
Cornwall has the highest number of families in the South West claiming child and working tax credits according to new figures. The GMB union carried out a survey to show the number of families claiming tax credits and found that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly topped the league with 44,800 families claiming an average £3,440. It indicates that 19.5% of working people claim the benefit - higher than the South West figure of 16.7% and the UK figure of 16.8%. More detailed figures show that four of the five parliamentary constituency areas in Cornwall are in the top 10 areas in the South West. North Cornwall is second behind Plymouth Devonport with 10,300 families claiming tax credits - 20.9% of those in the area. Falmouth and Camborne is third on 20.6%, St Ives is fifth with 20.1% while Truro and St Austell is in eighth on 18.7%. Further down the list is South East Cornwall with 17.2% of working families claiming tax credits.
CoSERG Comment
These figures illustrate the weak state of the Cornish economy. Cornwall has seen considerable efforts to improve the economy, yet with dramatic increases in its population and workforce, any gains are soon offset. In Cornwall at the Crossroads, it was argued that Cornwall's communities needed a breathing space by slowing down population migration and developing economic policies that met the needs of Cornwall. The same is true today as it was in 1988.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Worrying drop in the number of Africa bird migrants to Cornwall,
West Briton, 15 June 2009
The number of African migrants flying into Cornwall, such as yellow wagtails and cuckoos, has declined over the past 13 years, and bird conservation body the British Trust for Ornithology has set up a national appeal to do something about it. Nationally, there are worrying declines in many of our African migrants. The wood warbler and pied flycatchers have undergone declines of 60%. Nightingales, spotted flycatchers and garden warblers are also among the group to have exhibited downward population trends. Even the willow warbler is close to being red-listed. The yellow wagtail, which breeds in Cornwall, has declined by 47%, while other breeding birds such as the willow warbler, sedge warbler, turtle dove, garden warbler, spotted flycatcher, house martin, swift and swallow are also well down. "Our knowledge of ecology of the migrants in their wintering grounds is extremely poor and severely hampers our ability to explain these declines and our ability to conserve this group of species," says Paul Stancliffe of the BTO.
For more information go to... www.bto.org
CoSERG Comment
The report indicates a worrying decline in many bird species and also our lack of awareness of the causes. Are such changes due to climate change, loss of habitat in Africa, loss of habitat in Cornwall or a combination of these and other factors? What is clear is that mankind's actions can have severe impacts upon the environment often in ways that are not understood. Yet despite continuing evidence of negative environmental change, Government (and opposition) polices exhibit a Business As Usual approach.
For more..
www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Village gains land for allotments
The Cornish Times, 12 June 2009
Residents and parish councillors in St Cleer are celebrating after securing land for allotments. The parish council has spent five years raising funds to purchase a plot and recently secured a two-acre field off Bakers Hill. The council was also given a grant of £4,000 towards the purchase from the former Caradon District Council.
CoSERG Comment
News that St Cleer is to obtain land for allotments raises questions about the 'Heartlands' project at Pool. The 'Heartlands' project and adjacent planned housing developments will result in the development of a significant area of farmland at Pool. Indeed, this is the last area of farmland within the built up area, a potential green resource. The land, which perhaps could more accurately be called Penhellick, could have been imaginatively used as a community resource - with allotments, an urban farm/natural resources and examples of local habitats- including selections of willows (hellick). This would have retained the important link between agriculture and the minescapes at Crofty and Robinson's Shaft. This mosaic of farmscape and minescape is integral to understanding the context of mining in Cornwall.
For more....www.liskeard-today.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Battery Rocks beach saved!
Friends of Penzance Harbour, 12 June 2009
News source..
www.friendsofpzharbour.org
Harbour terminal plans withdrawn
BBC News, 12 June 2009
An application to build a new boat passenger terminal on reclaimed land in Penzance Harbour has been withdrawn by the Isles of Scilly Route Partnership.
For more..
news.bbc.co.uk
MP welcomes planning withdrawal
Business Cornwall, 12 June 2009
Local MP Andrew George, who brokered and chaired negotiations between the Route Partnership and Friends of Penzance Harbour, has welcomed the Route Partnership’s decision to withdraw its planning application for the southern extension of Penzance Harbour. George described the Route Partnership’s decision as ‘considered and honourable’.
For more..
www.businesscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
New lease of life for Woolworths shop,
This is Cornwall, 12 June 2009
Following months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the former Helston Woolworths site will be reopened as The Original Factory Shop.Builders moved into the store on Monday to clear the building and begin the refit.
News source:
www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
Truro Woolworths site goes to Poundland
BBC News, 1o June 2009
The Poundland group of stores is to take over a former Woolworths building in Cornwall, it has confirmed. About 30 jobs will be created, and the chain is in discussions to possibly take over other Woolworths buildings in Newquay, Penzance and St Austell.
Neil Scott - from Totally Truro, a not-for-profit company which promotes the city - said it was "good news for biggest empty space in the city centre".
For more...
news.bbc.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Renewable revolution failing to launch,
This is Cornwall, 11 June 2009
The Westcountry's renewables revolution is failing to launch as figures revealed "green" power equates to only 1 per cent of the region's energy needs. Despite being blessed with windy conditions, powerful waves and one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world, Regen SW says change is needed "on a much larger scale" if it is to contribute meaningfully to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security.
With 37 per cent of the region's total, Cornwall once again boasts the biggest share of renewable energy. Devon stays in second place with 21 per cent. While the renewable share has bumped along at close to 1 per cent for many years, green energy proponents are optimistic a number of projects are moving into view.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/environment
_______________________________________________
Final decision to be made on eco-town plans,
West Briton, 9 June 2009
Tth wait will soon be over as the final decision will be made on all the eco-town proposals next month according to Housing Minister Margaret Beckett. But she signalled she would be willing to block every planned eco-town if her tough environmental standards are not met. Raising the prospect of the flagship project being abandoned entirely, Mrs Beckett said progress had stalled after a series of legal challenges. Developer Imerys is proposing to develop six former clay mines in the St Austell area as part of Gordon Brown's pledge to build up to 10 new eco-towns. The proposal includes building more than 5,000 homes between 2012 and 2025, as well as the creation of office space and schools. Around 40 to 50%of the homes will be affordable in a bid to tackle Cornwall's housing shortage.
CoSERG Comment
Cornwall needs affordable housing but not imposed through the flawed eco-town concept. There is a need for policies that are environmentally sustainable - but these need to be carried out across society and must deal with the real issues rather than focus on buzzwords and rhetoric.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Complex 'will go ahead as planned',
West Briton, 9 June 2009
Plans for an apartment complex in Newquay will go ahead - despite a company applying to turn the land into a temporary car park for the summer. Merchant House (Reading) Ltd has asked Cornwall Council for planning permission for a temporary car park on the former St Brannocks and Tolcarne Hotel sites, on Narrowcliff. Stuart Shield, of estate agents Bradleys who are marketing the property, said plans for the five-storey Tolcarne development, of 48 holiday rooms, 22 apartments and five penthouse units, will definitely still go ahead in a few months' time.
"The apartments are still being built, but have been put on hold for the next two to three months," he said. "The developer was worried that with the current state of the economy, Newquay would be flooded with holiday flats that no-one will buy. So he has decided to lease the site to a car park company. This will hopefully encourage people to park up on that end of the town and bring some more life to that area. It will also help things like the Rocklands and the new Pizza Express. That's his plan."
CoSERG Comment
Despite the economic downturn and increasing awareness of the detrimental impact of the property sector on the rest of the economy, developers are still determined to continue with building more luxury accommodation in Cornwall. Stricter planning rules are required to limit luxury dwelling developments.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
MP asks for more powers for Cornwall,
West Briton, 9 June 2009
Cornwall MP Andrew George has urged the Government to give more power to Cornwall's unitary council. Liberal Democrat MP Mr George led a Commons debate last week asking local government minister Ian Wright to give more powers to Cornwall Council. It comes after he published an essay in March - Cornwall A New Beginning - in which he called on the Government to give the new single council the chance to run health services, decide how many homes should be built in Cornwall and decide how European funding for the Duchy should be spent. Mr George said: "The Government wants us to build the equivalent of seven new Penzances by 2026. Yet the overdevelopment of Cornwall is part of our problem not our solution. Our priority should be to meet our local housing need not to turn the place into a developers' paradise. CoSERG Comment
As Mr George has indicated, the need for greater powers for a Cornish body has never been greater. Cornwall faces an unsustainable population and housing boom, economic and social problems persist, yet Cornwall lacks to powers to pursue appropriate policies. CoSERG has produced a number of reports and submissions in the past supporting the concept of a Cornish Assembly.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
'Prison block' flat plans are rejected by council,
West Briton, 27 May 2009
Residents have won their fight to stop a 'prison' block of flats being built in one of Camborne's prime residential areas. Members of Cornwall Council's area planning committee have unanimously voted to reject the development in Basset Road. The application, which went before last week's meeting, was to demolish the existing property, which is boarded up after being vandalised, and build 12 apartments on the site. Town councillor Jean Charman, who was last year's mayor of Camborne, said her council considered the scheme inappropriate. "Basset Road, a row of prestigious Edwardian and Victorian residences, is one of the few areas left that defines our heritage and history. "The frontage of this proposed development may appear to blend in but the rear paints a very different picture. "There you are faced with a large three storey building which looks more like a prison." She added: "This development is undesirable, out of character, out of proportion and would set a precedent."
CoSERG Comment
Another example of proposed densification. Supporters of the current proposed population boom should admit that the consequence of the policy is a combination of densification and the use of large areas of greenfield land.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
______________________________________________
Regional Spatial Strategy Proposed Changes,
GOSW, 22 May 2009
Following assessment of the 35,000 responses to the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West (RSS), the Secretary of State intends to issue the final RSS at the end of June 2009.
The Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to draft Regional Spatial Strategy were published in July 2008. Public consultation took place until 24 October 2008 and about 35,000 responses were received. Following assessment of these responses, the Secretary of State intends to issue the final RSS at the end of June 2009.
The documents for consultation and all supporting documents including the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment are available through the consultation portal here. Copies of the Consultation Documents were sent to all those who participated in the Examination in Public; to a large number of regional partners and consultees, consistent with government guidance.
The consultation documents are available for inspection during normal office hours at the offices of County, District and Unitary Planning Authorities in the region; they are also available for inspection at all libraries. Copies of the Consultation Documents can also be made available for inspection at the Government Office by appointment by contacting the RSS Team on 0117 900 1705. Further details of the process so far and the key examination documents are available through the Examination in Public website
Once the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West is approved by Government it will replace Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG10). It will form a statutory document with which local authority development plan documents will need to conform. Advice on the process for revising the Regional Spatial Strategy is set out in national guidance - Planning Policy Statement 11 available to download from the link below. Those who commented on the RSS will receive an acknowledgement in the next few days (please see below under related documents). The postcard you'll receive provides information on how to view your comment/s on the Limehouse website. Some comments are waiting to be uploaded, and will be available to view shortly.
CoSERG Comment
The high level of responses to the Secretary of State’s proposed changes indicates the concern over the issues raised, particularly the high housing targets. What will the changes mean? Similar targets to those in the plan? Lower targets? Higher targets? Local authorities and communities will await the proposals with interest.
For more:
www.gos.gov.uk/gosw
_______________________________________________
Sainbury's eyes council office as potential site for new shop,
Cornish Guardian, 13 May 2009
The former home of Penwith District Council has been identified as a target for supermarket giant Sainsbury's as One Cornwall "rationalises" its offices. The grocery chain is looking to strengthen its position across the South West by adding to its store network in Cornwall. During informal approaches from the supermarket a number of development opportunities have been identified, with one of the possibilities for a "larger site" suiting the business aims being the St Clare offices.
CoSERG Comment
These news items raise a number of questions. Should the sites be retained for office use or converted to other uses? Should sites such as Caradon and Penwith council offices be demolished, bearing in mind that they were developed from older large properties with potential historical value? Do we need more supermarkets? It might be better to retain the properties for community use rather than lose a potential resource.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Residents promised a real say in town's 'masterplan',
Cornish Guardian, 12 May 2009
A major infrastructure project has begun which will define how Bodmin will grow and be developed over the coming decades. Bodmin has been identified as one of the fastest growing towns in Cornwall and now a strategy is being devised to cope with an expected boom in population and increased employment opportunities the town hopes to attract. The Community Masterplan is being drawn up with residents promised a real say in the changes faced by the town, with public consultation events beginning next month. Cornwall Council has decided to combine work already undertaken by the former district council on regenerating the town centre with an economic framework which already has £10 million of Convergence funding earmarked to create more industrial units and boost job prospects.
CoSERG Comment
The fundamental question which people will not be consulted on is - should Bodmin experience unsustainable and uneccessary population growth or not? The idea that Bodmin should have a population boom when there is alledgedly growing awareness of environmental limits and the need to attain sustainability seems perverse.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Mayor accuses council of 'selling off family silver'
Cornish Guardian, 12 May 2009
Civic chiefs have been accused of "selling off the family silver" as the Cornish Guardian can exclusively reveal supermarket giant Sainsbury's is looking at a site in Liskeard for a potential new store. Cornwall Council has confirmed the chain is interested in the former Caradon District Council headquarters at Luxstowe House on Greenbank Road. Last month the Cornish Guardian revealed Sainsbury's was in advanced discussions to acquire the former North Cornwall District Council headquarters to build a store and replacement offices for the East Cornwall division of the new unitary council.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Restormel offices could be sold to Sainsbury's,
Cornish Guardian, 12 May 2009
The old Restormel Borough Council offices in St Austell could be sold off to make way for a supermarket. Informal discussions are under way between Sainsbury's and Cornwall Council for the building of a store on the former council site on Penwinnick Road. The news has outraged some of the council's former employees who do not want to see Cornwall's assets sold off. A Cornwall Council spokesman, said: "The council is aware of Sainsbury's interest in strengthening its presence in Cornwall and it is continuing to look at appropriate land across the county. "Several of the targeted areas involve land that is owned by Cornwall Council. "The council offices in Wadebridge are an example of this. "Informal discussions have also led to other potential sites being highlighted, including land owned by the council in St Austell." A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "We are considering opportunities to invest in Cornwall and make our offer of a quality weekly shop more available."
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Decision to be made on eco town idea,
Cornish Guardian, 11 May 2009
Eco towns could be an important answer to the recession - claims a sustainable development charity. The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) made this statement, stating that despite the economic problems the eco town proposals need to get the go-ahead. But to do this, the charity says the Government needs to demonstrate its commitment to the programme by providing funding. This is something that the plans around Clay Country would welcome after news that it will be short of £190 million. TCPS chief executive Gideon Amos, said: "If we are to develop differently in ways that respect the environment more after the recession, eco towns and eco developments have to be part of the answer. "Likely land value uplift in eco town locations remains above average despite the recession. However, the Government must commit sufficient funding to ensure the successful schemes deserve their eco town label."
Another charity, CFBT, has stated that rail links will be essential to all the remaining 11 proposed eco towns being viable. Responding to this, Imerys spokesman Ivor Bowditch, said: "Rail will play an important part in providing new links and transport services. We are talking to First group at the moment with regards to transport services. "But our main priority will be to give non vehicle-based transport our main focus." The consultation process on all remaining ecotown plans closed at the end of April. A final decision on the successful plans that will be given the go-ahead will be made some time this summer.
CoSERG Comment
Eco towns appear to be one of those concepts which sound nice and environmentally friendly, hence the support from various 'green' organisations. Yet the reality is that they essentially a means of bumping up the housing targets, not exactly sustainable. Simply creating rail links will not reduce car use, unless of course cars are banned which is not part of the agenda.
A more holistic and fundamental approach to planning is required to enable society to actually become environmentally sustainable, eco towns are not the answer.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Housing will 'destroy woodland and wildlife',
This is Cornwall, 6 May 2009
A housing development at Camborne which involves cutting down 26 trees is being opposed by Camborne town councillors. Planning committee members considered the trees in Rectory Road had been a significant feature of Camborne life for generations. Highgrove Homes are seeking permission to build nine dwellings on the land. Planning chairman Dave Biggs said a report by the county arboriculturalist, Ian Davies, complained that an assurance by the developers of the Grange that the remaining trees would be managed as a woodland garden did not happen. Cllr Biggs told councillors: "I find it strange that all of the trees to be felled are on the inside of the site and only the ones on the outside would remain. "It is clear to me that this application would ultimately destroy the remaining woodland and wildlife. "That is not only unacceptable but also contrary to planning guidance." Residents of the neighbouring development at the Grange attended the meeting because of their worries about the future of the woodland. Cllr Helene Cullimore told the meeting: "It is not just the trees that would be lost but also the important wildlife habitat."
CoSERG Comment
This news story illustrates a major problem facing Cornish communities. Land is being brought forward in both small and large packets for development. Green areas are in danger of being lost, important for both community and the wider environment.
The root cause of the problem are the excessive housing targets imposed upon the area by central Government, which results in a push to develop every piece of land. What Camborne and neighbouring communities need is a planning policy which meets local housing need and retains the environment and community cohesion.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
Train bosses criticised as new plans will go to waste,
This is Cornwall, 6 May 2009,
Train bosses have been criticised after it emerged that a new service due to double the amount of trains between Truro and Falmouth will cut the number of carriages per journey from two to one. Improvements to the rail link costing £7.8 million will be wasted if First Great Western halves the number of carriages on the line, according to prospective Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Terrye Teverson, who has called on the company to run double carriages on the new half-hourly service. The improvement scheme on the Falmouth Branch Line has been jointly funded by European Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and Network Rail. The extra 400 metre-long loop of track at Penryn Station will allow two trains to run simultaneously. This should mean double the current service, but it has come to light that the train operator is planning to increase the frequency while cutting carriages.
Mrs Teverson said: "From May 18 2009 First Great Western are planning to run trains with only one carriage every 30 minutes, instead of the current two carriages every hour. "Millions of pounds have been invested to improve this rail link and encourage people to get out of their cars and onto the train." "At the moment First run an hourly service with two carriages. They now plan to run a half hourly service but with only one carriage. The whole point of investing in the railway was to make the service better. At peak times now there will be more people crammed into one carriage - which was not what millions of pounds of tax-payers money was supposed to be used for."
CoSERG Comment
Fair point. Investment in the line needs to be supported by investment in the rolling stock. It is essential to transfer commuters and other users from road to rail, not to discourage them.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
_______________________________________________
MP's meeting explores alternative solutions to harbour improvements,
This is Cornwall, 6 May 2009,
The proposers and objectors to the Penzance Harbour regeneration scheme have met for the first time. The meeting between the Route Partnership and the Friends of Penzance Harbour was organised by MP Andrew George to discuss alternative solutions to the need to improve passenger and freight handling for the new ferry and freight ship which will serve the Isles of Scilly.
Mr George says the purpose of these talks was not to debate the merits or otherwise of the current proposals because these differences will 'never be resolved'. He said: "The talks are to jointly explore and to assess the merits of alternatives to that scheme. "The discussions have, so far, proven to be cordial and constructive. Those advocating alternative options acknowledge that further work and evidence is needed. Equally, the Route Partnership is not dismissing these alternatives out of hand, but is prepared to explore them further."
Meanwhile the Friends of the Jubilee Pool in Penzance have unanimously voted to actively campaign against the proposed Route Partnership scheme. At their Annual General Meeting last week, the committee of the Friends agreed to work with other groups opposing the current scheme, including Penzance Civic Society and The Friends of Penzance Harbour in seeking a review of the preferred option currently being pursued by the Route Partnership scheme.
CoSERG Comment
Discussion may be the only way forward to debate the conflicting needs and views of the various groups concerned with the proposals.
For more....www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
________________________________________________
TOP OF PAGE