Sustainable Travel Network
Thank you to everyone who attended the engagement day, shared their views with the team and took the time to complete the engagement questionnaire.
The project team are reviewing all the feedback received on the proposals which were presented on the 6th December 2023 at the Exchange Gallery.
The results of this feedback will be shared on this page in March 2024. The comments received will further shape the detailed designs for this project.
You can still view the full exhibition and proposed plans.
About the Sustainable Travel Network Project
This project will facilitate and support local ambition of creating a more sustainable and attractive town.
The project is a practical response to the Climate Emergency declaration made by Penzance Town Council and Cornwall Council in 2019. It aims to enable residents and visitors to make more sustainable and greener choices for how they travel by:
- Creating more public space and greenery in Penzance;
- Building a network of safe and accessible walking and cycling paths;
- Reducing traffic congestion and pollution;
- Improving the health and well-being of residents and visitors, and;
- Supporting the local economy and regeneration.
The completed work is looking to enhance the experience of visiting the town, working, studying and shopping locally, whilst improving the wellbeing of all.
The proposals focus on several locations including:
– Market Place and Green Market
– Top of Causewayhead
– Branwells Gyratory
– Coinagehall Street
– Market Jew Street
– Wharf Road
– New Road
During the community consultation led between 2015 and 2019 there was overwhelming support for focusing on sustainable transport. This project builds on what has been already initiated on Market Jew Street, Western Promenade Road and Alexandra Road through the Healthy Streets project. Find out more about the Healthy Streets project here : Healthy Streets Penzance | Let’s Talk Cornwall
Cormac has been commissioned as the design consultant with landscape design support from Mei Loci. Both of these teams worked on projects in Penzance such as the Promenade upgrade and the Bay to Bay cycle route between Penzance and Marazion.
FAQ’s
What are you proposing?
For the Sustainable Travel Network eight schemes are proposed which will enhance accessibility and connectivity, promote walking and cycling and improve the townscape.
Some initial schemes were presented in November 2022 during the PZ EXPO. From 1pm on Wednesday 6th November, members of the public will be able to view and share their feedback on the latest designs for eight of the proposed schemes.
Who is funding/running this scheme?
The scheme is funded by central government via the Penzance Town Deal.
Delivery is being led by Cornwall Council in collaboration with the Town Deal Board.
Consultants for the project are MWJV and Cormac.
I can’t attend the exhibition on Wed 6th Dec, how can I see the proposals?
The boards presenting the proposed plans will be available online from Wed 6th December on this page. Residents and business owners will be able to provide feedback via an online survey here. The survey will be open between Wed 6th Dec 2023 and Sat 6th January 2024.
How can I have my say during this consultation?
After the exhibition presented on 6th December, you can still share your views on the proposals via our online survey here:
https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/penzance-town-deal-sustainable-travel
Our survey will go live from Wed 6th December 2023 and will also contain the exhibition boards. The online survey will be accessible until Sat 6th January 2024. The webpage will also feature these exhibition boards. Paper questionnaires will be also available in the following locations:
- St John’s Hall reception
- Penzance Town Council
Will this proposal stop through traffic going to Newlyn?
Traffic volumes on Chyandour Cliff and through Penzance are high when compared to the A30 bypass. Therefore, our aim is that through changes to signing and road layout more traffic is encouraged to use the A30 to access the town centre and Newlyn. However, traffic will not be prevented from using the Chyandour route to Newlyn if they so choose.
How will this affect buses leaving the station?
The proposed changes to the entry and exit arrangements for the Harbour Car Park are likely to have a generally positive impact on traffic flow and congestion. They appear to be especially effective in reducing eastbound traffic on Albert Pier which will enable easier exit for buses.
What is happening with the Ponsandane Cycle Hub project?
The Ponsandane cycle hub has been given the approval to proceed by the Town Deal Board. Groundworks have started, but continued work is subject to resolution of a large, obstructive South West Water main which has been discovered during the works.
Will there be less car parking spaces when the project is completed?
The aim of the schemes is to maximise opportunities for those people who may not have access to a private motor vehicle (approximately 25% of the population in Penzance and Newlyn) and to provide opportunities for active travel that benefit the mental and physical wellbeing of individuals. There might be a small impact on the overall number of parking spaces but we would be looking for it to be as minimal as possible when the scheme is developed further.
When will the work start and be completed?
It is intended to develop the projects as an entire programme but to ensure minimum disruption on existing road users, individual schemes will be implemented between 2024 and March 2026, which is the date by which the work funded by the Town Deal needs to be completed. The schedule of work will be communicated well in advance of it taking place.
Will there be road closures during the work?
Construction work on the public highway can result in disruption and roads being closed but this will be managed to minimise any adverse impacts. Access for residents and businesses will typically be retained during any construction activity. The individual schemes would be implemented in an order that minimises overall impact on the local community and ensures that there are alternative routes available to travel through the town.
Why is Nothing Proposed in Newlyn?
Meeting the Town Deal sustainable travel aspirations that are desired in Newlyn has been technically challenging due to spatial constraints and the significant disruption that would be caused through implementation of wholescale highway changes. Therefore, following recent discussions between members of the Town Deal Board and the Project Team, a decision was taken to review these emerging proposals and refine the intentions in the aim of producing a more deliverable project. Subject to further consideration by the Board on the outputs, it is anticipated that the ensuing proposals shall be available for public consideration early in 2024.
Will this cause traffic congestion on Branwells Mill/Wharf Road?
Traffic modelling has been undertaken to test the proposals on Branwells Mill and Wharf Road. This modelling shows the proposals appear to have a mainly positive effect on traffic flow. In particular, the circulatory operation of the main Gyratory could see a large improvement in performance, which can primarily be attributed to the reversal of the give-way priority at the northbound junction of Wharf Road.
Improved traffic flow and decreased delay for traffic travelling southbound onto Wharf Road from the Gyratory due to signals removal.
Congestion increased in northbound direction on Wharf Road due to give way reversal and changes to crossings.
A video demonstration of the proposal modelling will be presented to the public at the exhibition on Wed 6th Dec (based on August 2022 peak traffic data).
Why is the Ross Bridge not being improved?
The replacement of the Ross Bridge has been removed from Cornwall Council’s upcoming program of structures work, with a view to instead replacing at a later date. Therefore, we are not committing funds to improving the pedestrian facilities on the bridge at this time in anticipation that the future replacement will implement these improvements.
