Falmouth could rapidly drop behind in the race to attract more cruise liners and lose out on a huge boost to the local economy.

Dredging of the harbour to allow large liners to dock is vital and if £30 million funding is not found soon all could be lost.

A spokesperson for Falmouth Harbour Commissioners said yesterday that a number of meetings with interested parties, not least the owners of Falmouth Docks, had been held and were continuing.

“It is a sensitive issue,” said the spokesperson. It was likely some decisions would be made in the coming weeks with bids for funding going in during March. It was still in the early stages but with the £400,000 environmental impact study now complete things could move forward.

All interested parties were involved and it was essential all had their say. The commissioners did not “wish to say too much about it” at present but it was a “working partnership,” added the spokesperson. Officials were not being secretive, it was just a sensitive issue and many partners were involved.

The proposed multi-million pound scheme to dredge Falmouth harbour to allow large liners to come alongside has dragged on and on for some years and despite last year’s environmental impact study report which gave new hope to the scheme, to many a final decision still seems far off.

It could still be three or four years before large liners will be seen alongside in Falmouth if dredging and regeneration of the port does go ahead.

Falmouth is already in competition with other ports for the European cruise liner business worth in excess of £30 million despite the economic situation. Many other ports have already made changes and provided improved facilities for visiting liners.

A top level meeting is expected to take place in London this month at which Government officials will be present.