Plans to revitalise Penzance's high street and improve pedestrian access are moving forward with the introduction of enforcement cameras for a daytime traffic restriction. Cornwall Council has confirmed cameras are being installed at both ends of Market Jew Street in Penzance and will go live on September 28.
The restrictions, introduced in 2020 as part of the Penzance Healthy Streets project, prevent cars and delivery vehicles from using the street between 11am and 4pm. Despite this, recent figures suggest up to 600 vehicles a day are still using the route during the restricted hours.
The cameras will also enforce a no-right-turn restriction at the Adelaide Street junction and a no-entry restriction at Market Place, where only buses are permitted. Taxis will still be allowed to use Market Jew Street from the Albert Street entrance during the restricted hours. Blue Badge holders will not be exempt, although those parked in designated disabled bays before 11am will be allowed to leave without receiving a penalty.
The measures form part of a wider £21 million Town Deal programme aimed at regenerating Penzance town centre, including new crossings, green spaces and traffic-calming measures. The wider scheme has proved divisive, with some traders criticising elements such as the new steel planters, while others say reducing traffic will make the town centre safer and more pleasant.
Cornwall Council’s transport portfolio holder Dan Rogerson said the restrictions had created a more pleasant environment for shoppers and visitors, but claimed continued non-compliance was creating safety concerns. Penzance BID also supports enforcement. Sarah Shaw said around 600 vehicles were being recorded travelling along the street between 11am and 4pm, describing enforcement as a way to encourage people to spend more time in the town centre.
The new cameras are due to become operational on September 28.
Commenter Johnboy599 says: “I’ve only been back once since they started making it difficult for customers to get to the shops. I don’t bother anymore and just go out of town. These planners sitting in offices really need to be held accountable. Pretty pictures on a plan don’t make a town centre thrive.”
Baggyboatee thinks: “Not entirely fair on Blue Badge holders. Are they expected to park elsewhere and then take a taxi, which can still access the area? Measures like this could simply put people off visiting, and then businesses may end up complaining about losing customers.”
Kernowmaid agrees: “There has been discrimination against elderly and disabled people since the start of this project. And there’s no way Penzance has 600 cars a day driving through the town. How have they distinguished between general traffic and essential vehicles such as buses, taxis and deliveries? A simple traffic counter doesn’t tell you what the vehicles are being used for, unless it’s just being used to support the narrative. Six hundred cars a day gridlocked on the A30 around Penzance sounds far more plausible.”
RickOshay is in favour: “The entitlement of some car drivers knows no bounds, hopefully the cameras and associated fines will encourage them to comply.”
Triggerandhisdoggo retorts: “If the council was really serious about safety they would put up a physical barrier that you need a permit to pass. The fact that they choose a camera shows that they just want to raise money.”
Clickit says: “I’m fully aware it will be a fine, but how much will it be, and will there be penalty points on my licence too? I deliver heavy goods to Penzance and can’t get there by 11am, but I also don’t have time to wait until 4pm. Falmouth and St Ives are the same. I simply can’t physically do the job under these restrictions.”
Bigmill69 agrees: “I have a real problem with this. I used to deliver medical and optical supplies. The goods arrived at our depot at 10am, then had to be sorted into 10 rounds and individually scanned onto each van. We’d leave around 11.30am, so without the invention of time travel, the earliest we could reach Penzance was noon, often 12.30pm in summer. How were we supposed to deliver vital, sometimes life-saving supplies under these restrictions?”
Commentthedotnet adds: “If the council is banning traffic from Market Jew Street between 11am and 4pm, how are couriers supposed to collect customer orders from places like Co-op and Boots? I’ll simply have to decline those jobs.
“Buses and taxis can still use the street, so it isn’t exactly a pedestrian precinct. And why is there a no-right-turn restriction from Adelaide Street? Forcing traffic left, around a lengthy diversion and back again only adds to congestion. It makes no sense.”
Robert E states: “The traffic ban was pointless from the start. There are already plenty of safe crossing points along the road, so now they’re installing cameras to enforce what was a poor decision in the first place. This is just another reason not to go into town.”
Penzance Traffic Ban Criticised as Another Reason to Avoid Town