Scilly Link unviable from Falmouth
30/7/09The Route Partnership are trying to intimidate Penzance residents into accepting their plans to build on Battery Rocks beach by threatening to move the Scilly Link to Falmouth, but the service can only operate successfully from Penzance.
The claim that Falmouth is an alternative departure point for the steamship service to the Isles of Scilly is nonsense. Any operator attempting this approach would suffer a crippling double-whammy, with costs escalating and revenues falling. Day trippers are an important source of revenue for the operator but the additional distance would increase the journey time and make day tripping to the islands almost impossible. The increased distance would also increase fuel consumption and wear and tear on the ship dramatically increasing operating costs. Income down and costs up would spell disaster for the operator who could only survive by pushing up its charges for sending freight to the Scillies.
The threat to move the service to Falmouth is not new; it was first heard at the time of the September 2008 “pre-planning” exhibition where 85% of those who filled in a feedback form said they were against the plans. The argument failed to convince then and it is no more credible now.
Alternatives to building on Battery Rocks beach exist and the Route Partnership should be working with local people to identify the best alternative option.