St George’s MP Kenneth Bascome is urging constituents to keep an open mind to the potential of modifications to Town Cut.

The former mayor has long supported the idea of limited changes to the entrance to St George’s Harbour so that small cruise ships would be able to berth in the town.

However, recent speculation that dredging was being considered to Town Cut has prompted the launch of a Facebook campaign dedicated to protecting the channel from major modifications.

The page, ‘Save St George’s Harbour’, was created after it was revealed that fresh studies investigating the possibility of dredging the area had been carried out this summer.

“I support modifications to the Town Cut channel,” Mr Bascome said. “But I would not support total destruction of the islands that was proposed previously.

“I understand that this group is voicing concerns, but it seems that every time there is something proposed to be done in St George it always ends up in controversy.”

The Save St George’s Harbour Facebook page had garnered nearly 1,000 likes, with numerous commentators voicing their concerns about the idea of modifications to the Town Cut channel.

But Mr Bascome insisted that a regular cruise ship was still a realistic hope for the town if minor modifications were to be carried out.

He also said he was confident that the Bermuda Government would listen to public concerns.

“Modification needs to happen,” he said.

“I have had the opportunity to talk with one of the cruise-line principals and know that there is still interest out there in bringing a cruise ship to St George.

“It is my hope that before the end of the year there will be some further consultation on what the new studies have found and what needs to be done moving forward.

“It is amazing to me that all along everyone has been wanting a cruise ship, and that now we are making headway there seems to be more scepticism.”