Getting Closer to the action

In many ways, Falmouth is feeling the effects of the economic slowdown in exactly the same way as other towns in the country. As elsewhere, both national retailers and locally-owned shops have ceased trading, and there seems to be no real sign of this abating for the foreseeable future – a tragedy given that a vibrant high street adds so much character and vitality to a place.

The problem, though, is that we increasingly see local economies like Falmouth’s as being dependent on  the retail sector. In fact, this is patent madness, and there’s a universal truth which desperately needs to be acknowledged and accepted.

Without “hard” work and the ability to create necessary products, a service and retail based economy will soon collapse because there is nothing to underpin it. And make no mistake about it, in Falmouth a massive amount of that “hard graft” is done by the docks. If that ceases, Falmouth will slip into terminal decline. You just cannot replace it.

Even today, the Dockyard is responsible for supplying many jobs and there are many small and medium businesses in the area reliant on work created from within the yard. Many families rely on this work to survive and there are many who are glad when they can get temporary work when the docks are busy.

And this is why it’s crucial that dredging is allowed and gets underway as soon as possible. We know how the marine and shipping industry is changing, and Falmouth needs to be able to adapt to that change – if it cannot deal with increasingly larger vessels it will be a bystander rather than an active player.

So, in essence, if you want to see the town tip into decline, do nothing. If you want to see a future for it where all sectors of its economy can thrive, support the plans. It really is that simple.

On Saturday 28th January 2012, you can have your chance to sign the petition and support your local community, as campaigners from both the GMB and Docks trade unions will be out on the Moor in Falmouth from 10:30am collecting electronic and written signatures in support of a deep dredge channel for the Historic Port of Falmouth… or if you can’t get there please sign the petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/24572

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Below is the Maersk Erin. Built in 2004, this tanker has a deadweight of 37178t, is 185m long and has a maximum speed of 16 knots.

Below is the Stena Nordica currently in A&P’s 2 Dock

and in the bay today…

The 27652 tonne Florence (near) with the  Cargo Vessel Pacific Huron behind

and the 47065t tanker the Alam Bistari