Plans for new Park and Cycle facility at Ponsandane submitted for approval

Plans to create a new ‘Park & Cycle’ facility on disused land at Ponsandane sidings at Eastern Green have taken a major step forward with the formal submission of the planning application for the Town Deal funded scheme.

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.

The proposed scheme involves the construction of a new car park on the former railway sidings on the main approach road into Penzance. 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.

Aimed at encouraging people arriving by car to leave their vehicle and switch to more sustainable methods of transport, the site will provide 62 car parking spaces, 5 of which will be specifically marked as accessible parking spaces. There will also be a group of 14 secure, lockable 14 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.

Other elements of the proposed 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.

The planning application can be viewed at Cornwall Council’s online planning register: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/

The reference number for the planning application is PA25/01303.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economy, said:

“Ponsandane Park and Cycle is a great use of unused land to provide local commuters and visitors alike with a great cycling facility and is another example of how Penzance Town Deal is delivering greener transport options for everyone, into and around the town.”

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.

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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