“Penzance is going to be even nicer to visit, shop and live in” response on plans to make the town centre a safer and welcoming place for pedestrians and cyclists.

Extensive engagement with the local community has shaped proposals for a ‘Sustainable Travel Network’ in Penzance. The £6.5 million Town Deal and Cornwall Council funded network 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.

In December and January, detailed plans for Market Jew Street and Market Place, just two elements of the network, went back for final feedback. The views of Penzance residents and businesses have been listened to, with the amended plans set to go forward capturing local priorities.

“We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation for the proposals for Market Jew Street and Market Place” said senior project manager Darren Mountford.  “We have listened carefully to the feedback for both schemes and have made changes put forward by local stakeholders, to the designs.”

Market Jew Street

Proposals include reinforcing the pedestrian zone, improving accessibility for pedestrians, people with reduced mobility, cyclists and public transport, and enhancing the streetscape and planting.

Feedback from many of the 94 respondents included: “great idea to make the high street more pedestrian friendly. If anything, it should go further as it will encourage footfall and keep shoppers in the town spending money supporting the retailers” and “this is an entrance to the high street for pedestrians walking from the train station and the proposed changes which create a sense of arrival in the high street.”

While plans to provide more planting were broadly supported, there were questions on how the additional plants would be maintained as local volunteers cannot currently take on extra areas within the town. It was agreed a sustainable maintenance regime for the town’s additional green spaces needs to be derived. Although a solution is not yet in place, the project team are collaborating with the community’s leaders to settle on an appropriate solution to ensure the planting prospers.

Reduced parking, loading areas and the impact of the existing pedestrian zone restrictions, particularly on disabled people, also drew observations.

Increased disabled parking has been recently provided in the town centre to help mitigate the effects of the pedestrian zone. While the project team recognise concerns about parking, there is wider support for visitors and residents to move around by foot and by cycle more safely and easily, enhancing the overall town centre experience.

In response to specific observations made, addressing operational concerns raised by local businesses over the removal of a loading bay, the plans now see this put back in place.  Other points addressed include:

• A new, shorter crossing making it easier for pedestrians and disabled people to use and reinforcing a pedestrianised feel.
• The realignment of the entrance to Market Jew Street and the increased pedestrian feel created by seating and crossings to dissuade traffic from entering the street.

All other measures included in the original scheme will be retained as originally proposed.

Market Place

The proposals for Market Place are designed to improve crossing points and footways including converting the existing bus layby into a pedestrian space, providing room for a bus shelter and additional landscaping.

Positive comments included “I’d like to say I’m totally behind this development to make this area more pedestrian friendly and accessible.  The planned planting looks great” and “Lovely idea. Penzance is going to be even nicer to visit, shop and live in”

However, those less supportive, including the local member Cllr Jim Mckenna, raised concerns over the potential traffic implications from buses stopping within the carriageway as a result of losing the layby.

After considering all observations raised and listening to the community’s voice, the project team propose to retain the existing bus layby.  This will impact the available space for landscaping but a focus on pedestrian improvements is still likely to be achievable with its retention.

Details of the results of the consultation, and the recommended changes for both schemes, have been shared with members of the Town Deal working group who have supported the proposed adaptions.

“This is a key area in Penzance and I am delighted that the views of the local community have been listened to and the schemes amended as a result of their feedback.   said Martin Tucker, Chair of Penzance Town Deal Board.  “We want to make our streets more attractive, safe and useable for pedestrians and cyclists, but also ensure our Town remains functional for our businesses. The changes which have been made to the plans for Market Jew Street and Market Place will help us to achieve this aim and I look forward to seeing the plans implemented over the coming months.”

Work will now take place on developing detailed final designs with a view to progressing construction of the Market Jew Street scheme in Autumn 2025 after the busy summer tourist period (and following completion of the nearby Causewayhead Town Deal scheme).

Improvements to Market Place will follow the completion of the Market Jew Street scheme, and will be co-ordinated to manage the impacts of construction on the town centre.

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

“The council is committed to helping people make greener travel choices and including people who need more support. With funding from us and the government’s Town Deal fund, the Penzance Sustainable Travel Network is a prime example of how we can collectively design spaces that meet all our priorities.”

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.