Part of Truro refurbishment plan being sacrificed to save ‘iconic’ bridge.

A bridge which would connect the riverside parts of Truro and is already being described as “iconic” has been saved after the financial impact of inflation and rising construction costs threatened its future. However, another element of the multi-million pound Truro Town Deal scheme has now been sacrificed to save money.

The Truro Town Deal Board said last week that the £23.6m funding it received from the government to revitalize the town had been cut by a third in real terms because of the cost of living crisis. Other town bids in Camborne, Penzance and St Ives are also facing financial challenges.

It was feared that a drawbridge at Lighterage Quay linking the Newham and Boscawen Park parts of Truro would now be lost. A planning application has already been submitted to Cornwall Council for the new ‘bascule’ bridge, which has been called ‘iconic’ by the council and is seen as a vital part of a project to create a loop link across the city for pedestrians. and cyclists.

Read more: Truro bridge plans in doubt as government funding cuts

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Sensing that there could be trouble ahead, Truro City Council voted to “inform the Local Business Board and Cornwall Council, both the project ‘leader’ and the responsible body, that the Lighterage Bridge should be viewed as a key priority project which, if necessary, should be considered. have priority in the event that program reductions need to be made due to changing financial circumstances”.

At a Town Deal board meeting, members voted 12 to three to go ahead with the Lighterage Quay drawbridge. However, to save costs, another footbridge – planned to link Town Quay on Morlaix Avenue with the Garras Wharf car park – was scrapped.

The council agreed to reallocate funds from that project to the Lighterage bridge scheme, with a contribution to the removal of the derelict Compton Castle boat from Lemon Quay.

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Alan Stanhope, chairman of Truro Town Deal, said: “This important decision means we can go ahead with the development of the bridge, which is due to be completed by March 2026. We are also looking forward to the removal of Compton Castle, but more importantly. how our investment will improve that area. Improvements to the southern end of Lemon Quay will further connect the town center with the river and bring an economic boost to businesses based there.” See why it will cost £200,000 to remove Compton Castle here.

Cornwall’s other three city deal plans have responded to the impact on their plans of the economic downturn.

Camborne – £23.7m funding

Councilor John Cosgrove, deputy chairman of the Camborne Town Deal board, said: “While there have certainly been some financial challenges, our 11 Town Deal projects in Camborne are progressing well. Significant cost increases meant capitalizing on each project so that it could be delivered within budget. Administrative leaders have worked hard to modify the original specifications to achieve this, and so far they have been well received locally.

“In terms of the reduction, Park Gerry – the exciting, state-of-the-art skatepark that is eagerly awaited by so many – is going ahead, but its multi-purpose play area will have to wait for future funding rounds. Similarly, the multi-million pound Bassett Community Hub will have all the elements we originally wanted, but its performance space will now be a more flexible and versatile venue than the one-off 200 places I thought of first.

“Camborne Town Deal board members support all of the proposed changes and I am very confident that the end results will, in each case, make a positive, exciting and lasting difference to Camborne.”

Penzance – £21.5m funding

A spokesman for Penzance Town Deal Board said: “In the current economic climate it would be fair to say that any project involving construction would have seen an increase in costs and several of the Penzance Town Deal projects fall into this category.

“We have looked very carefully at the outcomes that Town Deal Projects want to deliver to ensure we are still on track with these. These previously identified outcomes are crucial to the success of any project going forward.

“Rising costs, such as those we have seen in recent years, will of course make for a difficult time, but we remain focused on the ultimate goal – and that is to drive regeneration and promote a city that thrives both for people his. and as a destination we are committed to maintaining this vision and are confident that we can deliver on the Town Deal projects. We will continue to monitor all projects closely.

St Ives – £19.9m funding

A spokesperson for the St Ives Town Deal scheme told us it is now firmly in delivery mode with construction on most projects underway. Eight of the nine Town Deal projects have signed their contracts and received their first tranche of funding, with the final project signing to take place in the next few weeks.

Work is also underway on the LiveWest housing upgrade programme, with a planning application for the St Ives Rugby Club project due to be submitted to Cornwall Council by the summer.

“Members of the St Ives Town Deal Board and Cornwall Council’s Town Deal project team are very aware of the impact of the cost increase and are working closely with all project leads to monitor the progress of their schemes and ensure they are all delivered by the deadline of the Government is March 2026”, added the spokesperson.