Green light for Town Deal funded scheme to create new Park and Cycle facility at Ponsandane

Plans to create a new ‘Park & Cycle’ facility on disused land at Ponsandane sidings at Eastern Green have been given the go ahead by Cornwall Council,

Developed in partnership with Network Rail, the Ponsandane scheme is part of the wider Penzance Town Deal Sustainable Travel Network project which aims to transform travel in and around the town, creating a fully sustainable network of safe and accessible walking, cycling and functional green and open urban spaces. The project is being delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the Penzance Town Deal Board.

Planning permission for the scheme, which is aimed at encouraging people arriving by car to leave their vehicle and switch to more sustainable methods of transport, was formally granted by Cornwall Council in June.

The scheme will see the construction of a new 62 space car park on the former railway sidings on the main approach road into Penzance. 5 of the spaces will be specifically marked as accessible parking spaces. There will also be a group of 14 secure, lockable cycle stands for those who wish to leave cycles at the Park & Cycle for convenience, and a drop-off area for two vehicles provided adjacent to the cycle stands.

The 0.56 hectare site has good links to the town by walking and cycling routes, including the South West Coast path and the Multi Use Trail, with westbound and eastbound bus stops located within 200m to the north of the land.

“This project marks another important step in delivering our vision for a greener and better connected Penzance” said Martin Tucker, Chair of Penzance Town Deal Board. “By transforming underused land into a valuable community asset, the Park & Cycle scheme supports our commitment to sustainable transport and a healthier, more accessible town for everyone."

“This is great news for both local residents and visitors to Penzance” said Cllr Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Economy and Investment and local councillor for Penzance East. “I pushed hard for more to be spent on attractive planting at the site and am delighted this has now been agreed. This site is the gateway to Penzance and it needs to look as attractive as possible. There will be roadside planting on the Cornish hedge and also shrubs and plants helping to soften the look of the sound barrier that separates the rail sidings from the parking area.”

“I would like to thank Network Rail for working with the Council and the Town Deal Board to develop this important project and look forward to seeing construction begin in the Autumn”.

Other elements of the scheme include upgrading the existing pedestrian footbridge over the railway line to improve access to the coastal route for cyclists and pedestrians, with a ‘wheeling channel’ in a contrasting colour (for visual awareness) on the timber bridge sections.

Underground ducting will be installed during the construction to support future provision for electric vehicle charging.

To ensure the new facility is accessible by users of all abilities, the footway along the A30 site frontage will also be widened, together with adjustments to the street lighting, the installation of new tactile crossing points and links to the existing pelican crossing.

Wide grassland areas will be provided along the southern boundary and at either end of the site, with a species-rich hedge, with bird boxes, planted along the northern boundary to the highway.

Penzance Sustainable Transport Network has received £3.5 million from the government’s Town Deal programme and £3 million from Cornwall Council. 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 will contribute to the town’s regeneration and boost the local economy.

Ends

Notes to Editors

About the UK Government Town Deals programme

Part of the government’s plan for Levelling Up the UK economy and the wider Towns Fund, the Town Deals programme aims to regenerate towns and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. This is through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure. As of July 2021, DLUHC have offered Town Deals to all 101 places that submitted proposals, committing over £2.35bn of investment across c.700 projects nationwide. See the press releases associated with Town Deals on gov.uk.

About the Penzance Towns Fund

In June 2021, Penzance secured a Town Deal of up to £21.5 million following the successful submission of its Town Investment Plan for a range of regeneration projects across Penzance and Newlyn.

In addition, Penzance is the only town in Cornwall and among 72 places nationally who was awarded £10.5 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund to help the revitalisation of its town centre and high streets.

For more information about Penzance Towns Fund visit: www.penzancetownfund.co.uk

Cornwall is the only area invited by the Government to submit proposals for four of its towns: Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro. After conducting extensive public consultations, each Town Deal Board submitted their Town Investment Plan in collaboration with Cornwall Council. As a result, the Government announced in spring 2021, that Cornwall will receive up to £88.7 million from the Town Deals programme.

Cornwall Council is the Lead Authority for the Towns Fund in Cornwall. Cornwall Council supports the governance role of Penzance Town Deal Board and is responsible for administering the Fund on behalf of the Board. For more information visit: www.cornwall.gov.uk/business-trading-and-licences/economic-development/towns-fund