This year and for the first time ever, Cornwall will host the start of the Tour of Britain -the UK’s biggest bike race. On the 5th of September the 2021 “Grand Depart” will see over 100 of the world’s best riders tackle the first stage from Penzance to Bodmin, with the re- engineered Penzance Promenade providing the Venue for this.
‘The Prom’ is a fine example of a Civils project in the urban coastal environment. It really does stand out from the crowd, demonstrating creativity in design and excellence in construction, producing a scheme of great social value.
Cormac Solutions Ltd was the Principal Contractor responsible for delivering this flagship regeneration scheme and is proud that the eyes of the world will be watching Penzance Promenade. Cornwall Council conceived the project to reinvigorate this local amenity by providing an attractive structure to last generations. Whilst new (in-situ reinforced) pigmented concrete paving has been provided throughout, the floorscape has been embellished with modern architectural ideas including surface areas inlaid with feature brass plaques, and artistic designs of cultural and sporting themes grit-blasted into the surface. Additional features include three stands of flagpoles (18 in total), specially commissioned ‘giant pebble’ (polished PCC) seating areas and additional aluminium park bench seating throughout.
This £2.1M public realm heritage project is Cornwall’s only Victorian promenade. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cornwall Council, it is the biggest public realm investment in Cornwall and of regional and international significance. It creates a high quality, high profile re-engineered public promenade along the world-famous Mounts Bay, providing the “Bay to Bay” cycle route from Marazion to Mousehole and contributes significantly to Cornwall’s tourism offer.
A feature of this project is the combination of Cormac Civil Engineering designers and Landscape Architects; Meiloci. This has produced unique design and construction work, informed by extensive research and consultation with local groups.
Finalists in last year’s Landscape Institute awards, Truro based Mei Loci (meaning ‘my place’ in Latin) has a core vision to create places that people love, places they can call their own. Cormac Solutions Ltd engaged this local company with a brief to engage the community to produce a scheme that is embraced as being very special to the town and to Cornwall.
Through landscape architecture, Mei Loci’s team reinvigorated conversation between the Promenade and the town community. This has regenerated the essence of what was once before, reviving a space that inspires common experience and a shared identity.
Creating landscapes that have this kind of power is a collaborative process, one that begins and ends with people. That’s why the project has taken a community-led, co-design approach – designing with people, for people.
Research and analysis underpin all aspects of the scheme, forming an intrinsic understanding of the landscape, culture and heritage of Penzance Promenade. Through geology and arts, to heritage and culture, the design tells stories of people and cultures through the landscape.
