Economic Development in Penzance

Geographic Accessibility & Travel Services

While being located in the far west of the County, access to Penzance by all means of transport is excellent.

Road

Trunk roads serving the County have been consistently improved over recent years to the point where it is true to say that journey times are now ‘hours’ shorter than they were two decades ago. Within the District, movement between the main towns has been made easier through the construction of several major road schemes including the Hayle, Marazion and Long Rock Bypasses and the Penzance Distributor Road.

Penzance is served by express coach services to all the principal centres in the country.

Rail

Penzance is the main line terminus of the line to the South West of England and direct services are therefore available to all major destinations in the country.

Services are provided by Great Western Trains, Cross Country Trains and Regional Railways Wales and South West. Great Western Trains have indicated that they are committed to maintaining a through main line service from London to Penzance. Cross Country Trains see their direct Inter City services linking with the Midlands, North of England and Scotland as providing a major part of the public transport infrastructure which is vital for a Cornwall's development. It is important to note that all services to Penzance are direct and not reliant on branch line links, which generally involve changes of train and are often affected by operating difficulties resulting in cancellations or the use of alternative road transport.

Air

Regular scheduled air services are available from Newquay to London (Gatwick) each day. Services are also provided to the Isles of Scilly from Land’s End Aerodrome and, Newquay. Charter aircraft can be accommodated at both these facilities and air operators have provided additional services to locations such as Switzerland, Italy, Ireland and Brittany.

Sea

Penzance is the terminus of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company's passenger ferry to the Isles of Scilly. The passenger ferry runs from March until October each year. A one-way trip takes 2 hours 30 minutes.

Local Transport

Penzance is at the centre of the transport network in West Cornwall. The road system in the District is focused on the town and consequently all parts of the District are easily accessible. The central location of Penzance means that virtually any part of the District is within a 15-minute car journey.

Penzance and Newlyn are towns that have retained their historic pattern of lanes and back alleys away from the main traffic routes and their compact nature make them ideal for getting around on foot. The Cornwall Millennium Cycling Route, which will form part of a national network, will pass around Mount’s Bay.

Businesses locating in the Penzance area will benefit from its superior accessibility to a main line railway station, the trunk road network, hospital with full range of cover (including Accident & Emergency), fire, ambulance and police stations, supermarkets, pubs and the entire spread of town centre facilities.