West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, says that the fragility of the transport link to the Isles of Scilly will be on the table when the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, visits West Cornwall and later this week.

Mr George said: “I am pleased that the Secretary of State will visit the constituency this week. I have however, raised many issues with the Transport Secretary and his Ministerial colleagues regarding the fragility of the links to Scilly.

"There have been many delays in plans to improve the facilities for passengers and freight at both Penzance and Scilly for the Ferry link. I'm pleased that he will be able to see the Harbours just before the £multi-million projects will commence.

"I have already requested support from him and colleagues to help us reestablish a helicopter service to the Islands etc - working with AgustaWestland and other stakeholders to bring forward plans soon.

"I have pressed for other improvements including airport resilience at Land's End and St Mary's. But there is still more to do - especially in support of medical transport.

"I have also pressed the Department of Transport to support the request from the Islands to take advantage of the once in a generation opportunity of the batching plant being brought over to the Islands to get the roads fixed.

"Finally, I have asked the Department for Transport to support my efforts to take Penzance's ambition to establish an offshore breakwater to the next phase.

"I have asked Jonathan Burnett (former principle of Truro and Penwith College) to chair the Working Party which we hope will soon commission a study to look at an options appraisal for different designs and dimensions for breakwater and to review the full business case. Department of Transport backing is essential."