Drainage channel changes 'so frustrating' for town

People in a Cornish town have expressed frustration after new granite drainage gullies had be to dug up and replaced.

Traders and residents in Penzance have experienced months of disruption and delays while town centre regeneration has been taking place - something Town Deal board member Sarah Shaw said was "so frustrating".

Local people said the drainage channels on Albert Street were too deep and people had been tripping over them.

Cornwall Council said in a statement on behalf of its contractor Cormac, the gullies were being replaced over "safety concerns" and it thanked people for their patience.

Bakery, Baked Pz, on Albert Street is close to where the troublesome gullies were installed.

In a social media post, the business said: "Since the barriers have gone back up, passing trade has dropped massively again and, after already dealing with 7½ months of disruption before this, we're honestly exhausted by it all now."

Owner Mushka Crossman said: "Workmen are actually digging up the gullies outside and replacing them this week so I'm actually quite excited.

"Hopefully this will be it after ten months of disruption which was expected to be only four months.

"I'm going to feel so relieved when it's gone - it'll make a big difference to our business."

Shaw said: "There are no words to describe how I feel about these delays.

"It is so frustrating but hopefully they will be finished soon.

"I don't think there's a single business here that hasn't suffered as a result of the regeneration and infrastructure renewal. Both of them coming at once was so hard for Penzance.

"My ask is that every single business in town needs people to come and shop here.

"Let's give Penzance the summer it deserves."

Penzance had been awarded £21.5m to deliver seven regeneration projects.

Work started in July 2025 and it is still ongoing 10 months later.

The work to improve Market Jew Street included more pedestrian crossings, better access for disabled users and controversial planters made of rusted steel.

The project was due to be completed in October 2025 and in November Cornwall Council's roads contractor Cormac said it was sorry for any inconvenience caused by the work.

It said it had "not progressed as quickly" as anticipated due to supply problems with some of the granite stones used for paving.

The main road was completed by the end of November but further work in the town was extended until the end of February. Shortly after the gullies were installed, barriers were erected.

The company behind the project, Cormac, is wholly owned by Cornwall Council but run as an independent organisation.

The council said in its statement on behalf of Cormac: "As we continue delivering the Penzance Town Deal improvements, we are adjusting the drainage channels to address safety concerns.

"We recognise that this will cause some inconvenience to the local community, but we are acting quickly to resolve the issue and minimise disruption.

"The channels will be removed and replaced with granite paving that matches the surrounding footway.

"Work began on Tuesday with a short trial section and will continue over the next two weeks.

"Temporary barriers will remain in place throughout the works to ensure everyone's safety.

"We thank local businesses and stakeholders for their patience and continued support while this work is completed."

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