Penzance breakwater – a firm step forward

Andrew George MP and Jonathan Burnett at Penzance seafront

Comments and suggestions welcome

Local MP Andrew George, has called on Penzance Harbour and seafront users, stakeholders, mariners and local residents to bring forward their comments, suggestions and concerns as the consultants who have been commissioned to commence the scoping work for Penzance breakwater complete their work.

The Penzance Offshore Breakwater Working Party which meets regularly in Mr George’s office is chaired by former Truro and Penwith College principal, Jonathan Burnett.  Mr Burnett and Mr George are making arrangements to meet harbour users and interested parties as Cornwall Council (which is a Working Party member) contracts Royal Haskoning (the consulting engineers who are contracted to undertake the first phase of the scoping work).

Mr George said, “Following the welcome news of Government funding for the offshore breakwater study, there is renewed energy and enthusiasm to drive this project forward.  With vital financial support and strong backing from Penzance Town Council and the assistance of Cornwall Council, everything is set fair for good progress to be made in the coming months. However, I don’t expect it to be all “plain sailing”. There will be many different people with different perspectives and priorities.  Each of these need to be taken into account.

“The Penzance Harbour Users Association already has some excellent proposals and ambitions for the future of Penzance harbour and seafront.  Royal Haskoning has the skills and the technical facilities to assess each of a number of offshore breakwater proposals including their likely cost and effectiveness and to assess the consequences.

“We are particularly interested in discovering which of the many harbour and seafront assets local people see as the highest priority for protection; and which provide the greatest assets for future economic regeneration.

“I am pleased that the working party is making good progress.  We all look forward to a constructive engagement as this exciting plan takes its first important step forward”