04.05.07
Support Penryn traders urges Council

Carrick District Council has asked members of the public to be patient while works to transform the public spaces in Penryn take place. Project Officer Chris Matthews has urged people to support the traders who are open as usual for business.

Penryn Public Realm works began towards the end of April. The work includes replacing and renewing areas of granite which have been lost, adding flower troughs, getting rid of unnecessary signage and adding public seats and new, seagull-proof, litter bins.

But the Cormac crews contracted to carry out the work are having difficulties with temporary barriers being removed and cars parked in the spaces. This is resulting in delays to the work, which it was hoped would be complete in eight weeks, although the contract is for 12 weeks.

Chris Matthews, Carrick District Council Project Conservation Officer, said: "Penryn is very much open as usual with traders continuing as normal and all car parks fully open. We were hoping to remove temporary traffic lights and barriers at evenings and weekends but the delays caused by these vehicles obstructing the works mean this will now not be possible.

"We have worked hard to secure the support of traders during this work and delays are not helpful. I would like to ask everyone to keep visiting Penryn, use the car parks which are all still open, and support the local businesses.

"Please bear with us while these works continue and appreciate that the sooner they are complete, the sooner the barriers and traffic lights will be taken away."

The Public Realm works are part of a larger Townscape Heritage Initiative has received investment from Objective One European Regional Development Fund (£670,000), Heritage Lottery Fund (£400,000), South West Regional Development Agency (£170,000) and Carrick District Council (£100,000), with additional money for the public realm works coming from Cornwall County Council (£50,000) and Penryn Town Council (£10,000). The THI investment then attracts match funding from individual businesses.

So far 23 projects have been completed, including a training scheme in traditional building skills. By the time the Townscape Heritage Initiative finishes in September, 30 buildings will have been improved and, it is estimated, 41 extra full time equivalent jobs will have been created.

For further information please contact Chris Matthews, Carrick District Council Project Conservation Officer, on 01872 224570.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Townscape Heritage Initiative through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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