We’ll battle on in spite of RDA (From Falmouth Packet)

We’ll battle on in spite of RDA

10:43am Wednesday 17th June 2009

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THE Regional Development Agency’s decision to pull the plug on Falmouth’s cruise terminal plans is nothing short of a fingers up sign on Falmouth – a case of “hard luck, we have little money and what we have got you are not getting.”

The RDA has been a thorn in the side for Falmouth for many years over this issue and, if they deny that, don’t take any notice.

They have had plenty of time to make a decision on funding. They have dithered and dallied and come up with all sorts of excuses and suddenly they come up with such a pathetic reason as a fall in land prices that it makes it almost laughable.

The cruise ship industry means a lot to Falmouth, whatever its critics say. It always has, just ask traders and taxi drivers. Without doubt it brings huge sums of money into the town, the county and, ultimately, the UK.

The RDA, on the other hand, appears to be a total waste of time and money like so many government departments that are supposed to help the regions, not tear them apart. It costs a fortune to run and you and me are paying for it.

My suggestion would be to cut the RDA. The amount of our money it costs to staff and operate it would more than pay for the Falmouth cruise terminal project several times over.

I hope everyone supports Falmouth’s harbourmaster Mark Samsom when he says he is not giving up. At least he and many others in the port are determined to see the town battle on and win the fight.

That’s the spirit Mark. Your old mate Skipper is right behind you.

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