IN the course of a walk along the coast path between Swanpool and Gyllyngvase it was disturbing to hear holidaymakers, some of whom have been visiting the area for many years, complain that they've never seen Falmouth so scruffy.

They were referring specifically to the coast path itself which is hopelessly overgrown; to the unswept streets in the vicinity of the seafront; and the weeds sprouting from the pavements along Cliff Road between Castle Beach and Gyllyngdune Gardens.

Comments such as these are extremely damaging to Falmouth's image so the issues need to be addressed - urgently. I relayed the observations to Cornwall Council but wasn't encouraged by the answers.

Apparently, street cleaning is the responsibility of Cormac so is out of the council's control, while in the current financial year no money has been allocated for weed-killing. It appears some parish and town councils in Cornwall have assumed responsibility for weed killing although Falmouth council is one of those that hasn't.

On a more positive note I was told that work on the coast path was due to begin shortly, although no specific date was mentioned.

Frankly, I find the council's disregard to street-cleaning and weed killing appalling. Tourism is vital to our local economy, so to discover that our local authorities are endangering this industry through wanton neglect is scandalous.

Okay, so money may be tight; but surely the relatively small amounts needed to address these concerns can be found from somewhere - perhaps from the councils' own catering budgets? I don't suppose for one minute that our elected representatives would object to taking a flask and sandwiches to their regular meetings if the savings were diverted to something as important as weed killing.

Terry Smith,
Bay Court,
Falmouth