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The long-awaited hydrographic survey of Mount's Bay will begin in the
Spring. Ian George, of Hyder, the company contracted to carry out the
work, told Thursday's meeting of Penzance Area Forum that equipment will
arrive on site during April and the final report will be presented to
the forum and local authorities by October.
He said that high-tech equipment will be set up on the Promenade, at
Penzance and Newlyn harbours and aboard barges and survey craft in the
bay.
The company's divers, engineers and biologists will be measuring wave
and tide movements, examining the sea bed and the current state of harbour
walls and the Promenade.
He said that they would be examining reports already compiled during
South West Water's Clean Sweep programme and by the local harbour authorities.
"We will also be looking at the bird population and shellfish beds
and assessing any impact the proposed development of Penzance and Newlyn
harbours, might have on these," he said.
"Any future construction will be very expensive. We are looking
at around £23.1 million for the harbour proposals alone."
He said the company would be looking at ways of restoring and protecting
the Promenade, including the possibility of an off-shore reef, rock armour
or the raising of the defence topping.
"We fully appreciate that the raising of the defence topping would
be contentious as it would restrict views and I am not sure how effective
such a measure would be," he said.
"Another option is to create a stepped concrete toe at the base
of the Promenade wall or a sloped beach."
He said that it was possible material from the separate, un-related Port
Penlee development could be used to infill the area in front of the Tolcarne
Inn to create a base for a new harbourfront area and fish market facilities.
"Reclamation is expensive and we are looking at spending £30
million on proposals for the South and North piers at Newlyn," he
said.
One member of the public suggested the Scillionian should be moved to
Newlyn Harbour so that money could be saved on the proposed new embarkation
facilities at Penzance harbour.
But Mr George said that this was "unrealistic" as the Isles
of Scilly Steamship Company was committed to Penzance which had the necessary
infrastructure for the Scillonian's operations.
Members of the public expressed concern at the meeting that public finance
would be used to fund the Port Penlee project at Newlyn.
"No public money is going into the Port Penlee development, although
they are funding us to carry out surveys for them," said Mr George.
"And we are not able to say at this stage exactly what is possible
and what isn't. We have to wait for all the surveys to be carried out
and then bring our findings and recommendations to the public."
He said that a projects office will be open in the Westcott Buildings
in Bread street each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (10-5pm). The website
was www.pnpteam.com
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
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