A stalled plan to transform a dilapidated Cornish harbour has been given fresh impetus after the Government confirmed it was still prepared to bankroll a scheme.
Proposals for Penzance Harbour appeared to have ground to a halt last month amid deadlock over the work required within a certain time-frame to preserve facilities for the ferry link between the town and the Isles of Scilly.
Transport Minister Norman Baker yesterday told the Western Morning News that he wanted to make progress and there was still money in the pot.
"I am sympathetic to the needs of the communities in Penzance and on the Scilly Isles and my officials and I have actually spent a large amount of time over the last couple of years to find a workable way forward in collaboration with all interested parties including the local MP," he said.
"The Department for Transport is continuing to set aside funding for improvements to St Mary's and Penzance Harbours, but I am now keen to make progress, as indeed are local people, and to end the uncertainty that exists."
Mr Baker added: "As Cornwall Council has now agreed to lead on the scheme I look forward to receiving their business case."
The most recent scheme, which was driven by Penzance Town Council, failed to win wholehearted backing from Cornwall Council over structural quay work which the unitary authority said could not be delivered with the time allocated.
St Ives MP Andrew George this week wrote to Mr Baker suggesting there could be a change of heart at Cornwall Council following recent cabinet changes which saw leader Alec Robertson ousted and transport supremo Graeme Hicks resign.
Meanwhile, in a week which also saw the Penzance to Scilly helicopter service end, Cornwall Council also wrote to the minister re-affirming its continued support for harbour improvements.
In a joint letter to Mr Baker, leader Jim Currie and Bert Biscoe, portfolio holder for transportation, highways and environment, offered to deliver improvements on behalf of the Department for Transport.
They said this would provide more deep water mooring and enhanced protection to the vessel berths.
Mr Biscoe said they were keen to work with the community: "It is important that these improvements are seen as the first step towards the wider regeneration of Penzance Harbour."
