A beloved helicopter service from Penzance on the Cornish mainland to the Isles of Scilly has come a step closer to restoration thanks to EU funding worth almost £2m.
The last regular flight between Penzance and Scilly took place seven years ago after half a century of service, with the operator blaming the stoppage on rising costs, falling passenger numbers and a land dispute over its the heliport site.
It was a loss to visitors, who loved the 15 minute trip, but it was even more serious for islanders, who relied on the helicopter for quick getaways to the mainland, including for medical emergencies.
Many have reported a slump in tourism, especially in the winter months when the passenger ship stops sailing and the fixed-wing planes can be grounded by poor weather.
On Thursday Penzance Heliport Ltd said preparation work had begun on building a new base for the aircraft with £1.8m from the European regional development fund (ERDF). The new heliport is just 200m from the previous site.
This is not the first time a company has tried to resuscitate a helicopter service between Cornwall and Scilly.
Last year a rival company, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, began flights departing from Land’s End to Scilly. The move was controversial with some islanders, who saw it as a spoiling tactic by the steamship group, which operates the passenger ferry, freight boat and fixed-wing plane service.
The group denies this. However, the steamship helicopter service does not operate all year and is currently on its winter break, with flights due to re-start in April.
Helicopter flights from Penzance heliport will operate to St Mary’s and Tresco, famed for its sub-tropical gardens, using a state-of-the-art AW139 helicopter.
ERDF funding has previously supported other Isles of Scilly infrastructure projects including airport redevelopment at Land’s End and quay upgrades on the islands.
The remainder of the £4.3m project costs will be from private investment, with the Tresco Estate and the Dorrien-Smith family, who live on and manage the island of Tresco, the largest investors.
Flights, operating all year round, are expected to re-start in the spring of 2020.
Robert Dorrien-Smith, of Penzance Heliport Ltd, said: This European funding, alongside the record support from islanders, visitors, businesses and agencies on the islands and further afield, shows the importance of Penzance heliport to the future growth of the Isles of Scilly.
Cornwall council’s cabinet portfolio holder for transport, Cllr Geoff Brown, said: I welcome this news which will enhance passenger choice in travelling to and from the Isles of Scilly and improve resilience on the route.
The chairman of the council of the Isles of Scilly, Cllr Robert Francis, said excellent transport infrastructure was vital to the social and economic future of the islands.
Today’s announcement will further strengthen our island transport links for a thriving island community, he said.