Follow the link below for the Isles of Scilly Council’s press
statement today which follows some criticism about its low profile and alleged
inactivity during the ongoing winter transport crisis for the Isles of Scilly which had seen even pensioners resorting to to taking a Jet Boat (RIB) to get to the mainland when all air routes have been closed out of Scilly.
The future of IOS transport links is an important issue for Penzance because although the islands are 40 miles away they are an important 'economic suburb' of Penzance with millions of pounds spent in the economy by islanders, island businesses and visitors transiting through Penzance.
Council of the Isles of Scilly Press Statement: here
Chamber of Commerce Comment.
The Chamber and FRIST support all of the proposed
infrastructure projects (improvements to Penzance
and St Mary’s Harbours, improvements to St Mary’s Airport and Lands End
Airport.
The Chamber perspective is that the infrastructure improvements
are necessary but not enough to sustain the community and its tourism based economy. We believe it will be impossible for the
Steamship Company to replace the Scillonian without public help and that
without a ferry to back up highly weather dependent fixed wing services mass
tourism to Scilly will shrink due to high ticket prices and uncertainty over
travel. The vessel is already restricted
in the numbers it can carry (432 + crew) and the conditions it can sail in.
