When work on the £3.3 million park and ride scheme for Falmouth on a 2.6 hectare site at Ponsharden is completed it should have a huge impact on the town.

Although there had been hopes a park and ride scheme would open some years ago it has been continually put on the back burner until now.

Work finally began some weeks ago and the project has attracted significant funding.

Objective One has contributed £1,635,000, South West Regional Development Agency £621,000 and Cornwall County Council £535,000.

Substantial amounts have also been given by Carrick District Council, Cornwall Enterprise and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. The museum was due to open in June this year but completion work was delayed. Officials were this week still not giving a definite date except to say they hoped it would be "before the end of the autumn".

Peter Cowling, director of the museum, said of the park and ride: "Our construction programme will allow us to be ready for the Summer season."

The park and ride will run to the Moor and to the museum from Ponsharden. There will also be a boat service.