CONFIRMATION that the Department of Transport's £23.84 million funding for Penzance harbour will not disintegrate if the Route Partnership's scheme fails gives weight to the arguments of those calling for a public meeting.

And the Route Partnership's decision to reject MP Andrew George's offer to act as chair is regrettable.

The Department of Transport has dispelled the funding myth that warned we should "use or lose it"; it has confirmed no timeline exists and that, in fact, the funding lasts for 10 years; it has stated its lack of interest in the planning and design particulars; it doesn't care where the freight building or passenger storage building is positioned.

All that matters is that the majority is happy and the funding meets its objectives.

With this in mind, coupled with two public consultations, which, based on the Route Partnership's findings, reveal a considerable number are not in support, is it too much to ask that all alternatives be explored before the facility is built?

The alternative plan by the group Friends of Penzance Harbour to store freight on the outskirts of town, thus removing the need to concrete over the Battery Rocks beach deserves to be explored for its feasibility.

It might not save £14 million.

But it might.

The people of Penzance deserve to know before another step is taken.