Option A Myths
24/2/10If you think the Scilly Link could move to Falmouth or Option A is the only option available to Penzance, or indeed that Option A holds any benefits for Penzance then think again...
Cornwall Council and others have used a number of misleading arguments in support of Option A; the truth is a little different:
Myth: Option A is the only option available for Penzance
The Facts:
1. Continued opposition will make it difficult if not impossible to deliver Option A.
2. Funding is available for other Penzance options (confirmed by the SW Development Agency on 10th February)
3. Option C was described by the Council’s consultants as “workable”; they say it would be cheaper to set up and could be no more costly to run.
4. A new scheme, a variation on Option A known as “Option PZ” takes advantage of recent developments in the harbour area and will be substantially cheaper to set up with no land reclaim on Battery Rocks beach.
Myth: Option A will be good for the economy of Penzance
The Facts:
1. It will be catastrophic for local businesses with two summer seasons marred by traffic gridlock, noise and dirt.
2. It will not create a single new job or opportunity for the town, and will hinder real regeneration.
3. It was devised without proper local consultation and does nothing directly for the quality of life of local people or visitors to the town.
4. Option A is a huge development on the most beautiful part of the seafront and will spoil forever any possibility of making the seafront and harbour area more attractive to visitors.
5. It will undermine exactly what tourists come to our town to enjoy, and without tourists the local economy would collapse.
6. It offers minimum improved facilities for Ferry passengers and is unlikely to attract new travelers to the Scillies or Penzance.
7. Option PZ promises to address these failings, and to improve the experience of transit passengers to the Scillies.
Myth: Penzance will lose the Scilly Link to Falmouth if Option A isn’t accepted
The Facts:
1. The funding is NOT available for Falmouth (this was confirmed by the SW Development Agency on 10th February).
2. No viable service could operate from Falmouth; the extra journey time would kill the important day tripper trade and massively increase fuel, crew and maintenance costs.
3. The Council’s own consultants ruled this option out in 2004.
4. The current operator has recently said they will continue to operate from Penzance for the foreseeable future.
5. Graeme Hicks said “We have never suggested that the use of Falmouth would be a viable option.”
6. The decision to commission a report into Falmouth is a further bluff by a Council that is recklessly hanging onto a flawed and consistently unpopular scheme.
Myth: The new terminal building looks okay
The Facts:
1. The pictures may not look too bad, but the Council has “permitted development” rights and can construct anything they want on the site.
2. Budget overruns and cost cutting are likely during construction and this may well result in a cheap, ugly shed in the middle of our historic seafront.
Myth: The objectors to Option A are out of town NIMBYS who don’t want change.
The Facts:
1.The FoPzH are all full-time local residents and from the start have proposed alternatives that meet the needs of the Scilly Link AND bring real benefits to the town.
2.Option PZ has been developed by the Penzance Business Network including traders from around the harbour.
3. All want real, positive change, and they want it now.
Dispelling Option A Myths : download pdf | view pdf