Scaled back regeneration project works under way

Inflation has meant an £11.7m regeneration project has been "scaled back", a councillor has said.

Improvement work to reinvigorate Truro city centre's waterside, including work on Lemon Quay and the dredging of tonnes of silt from the river, began at the start of January after Cornwall Council undertook an "exercise to reduce costs while still delivering tangible enhancements".

It said the planned three months of works in Truro would result in a new event space, lighting and landscaped areas.

Loic Rich, an Independent Cornwall councillor in Truro, said inflation had been "a nightmare".

He said: "When this started obviously things were cheaper, it was easier to get things built.

"During that time, inflation has actually eaten away at some of the projects unfortunately, so we have had to scale back, but that's just happened everywhere.

"You've just got to get on with it, get everything built before it goes up any more."

Following the removal of an old paddle steamer from the centre of the city in June, Alan Stanhope, chair of Truro Town Deal board, said he was delighted work was finally getting underway.

He said: "Truro is a river city - there's the harbour, there's the quays, but you wouldn't know it.

"A lot of people come here and they don't realise there's a harbour there, so we are intent on connecting up as best we can."

David Rodda, town clerk for Truro City Council, said he hoped a new strategy for events on Lemon Quay would boost footfall for the city.

He said: "The Truro Business Improvement District has a footfall counter that monitors that on a daily basis - they're up this year, 2.2% on last year, which is excellent.

"What we want to do is use Lemon Quay to attract people into Truro, but then encourage the people that are coming into Truro to go out and visit our fantastic retail offer, our cafe offer and get out into our parks and gardens and spread themselves across the city so that Lemon Quay benefits the whole of the city centre."

The project is being funded by Government Town Deal funding secured back in 2021 and a contribution from the council.

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