'A year later we have signed a contract with the consultancy firm Scott Wilson to carry out our Stage 1 Technical Investigations and Appraisals.

This work links the Penwith District Council's project at the other end of the Route for improving Penzance harbour.'

The Partnership has brought together a range of public and private sector partners who meet monthly to discuss progress.

Besides the Council of the Isles of Scilly, other Route Partnership members are the Duchy of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, British International, Penwith District Council, and Cornwall County Council.

The technical investigations include gathering maritime data;

2-D modelling of quay options;

carrying out economic and environmental impact assessments;

and working with Penwith District Council's consultants to develop Route Options.

Plymouth-based Scott Wilson was selected from 13 companies interested in securing the contract, and will be on-site until June.

The consultant's first job is to work with the local community to understand the issues and then come up with outline options for St Mary's Quay and how this would affect a replacement vessel.

Initial discussions have been held with members of the Route Partnership and quay users.

The public will also have their opportunity to comment over the coming months, with a public exhibition in the Town Hall at St Mary's. Displays will present the background and issues, together with preliminary ideas.

The £193,500 technical investigations have been made possible through £193,500 investment from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and £48,612 from the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA), with the remaining investment coming from the Isles of Scilly Council, The Duchy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.