The people of St. George's will be able to have their say before any work is done to dredge Town Cut, according to the Mayor.

While the Corporation of St. George's is still interested in organising studies into dredging or widening Town Cut, Mayor Kenny Bascome promised the public would be consulted before any work begins.

He said: "We, the Corporation, would include the people of St. George's and the people of the community who would be affected before any final decision is made."

The subject of dredging, widening or straightening the narrow passageway has divided the public.

While some area businesses have said getting larger cruise ships into the harbour is important for the town's survival, other groups including the Bermuda National Trust have expressed concern about the potential environmental impact.

Earlier this week, former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith expressed concerns that work to the Cut could put nearby homes at risk to any rise in sea level.

Mr. Bascome said: "People get into a tizzy the moment they hear we want to widen the channel.

"That's why we want to have an independent study to help us all determine the best way forward."

For years, much of the St. George's economy was based on visiting cruise ships, but the number of ships visiting the town has fallen year after year.

This year, the only ship scheduled to make regular stops in the East End is the Veendam, which because of its size cannot safely pass through Town Cut. As a result, it moors in nearby Murray's Anchorage and ferries its passengers to shore.

While the ship was scheduled to visit the town 24 times this year, so far it has only been able to do so once after having to divert to Hamilton three times due to bad weather and a medical emergency.

Despite the lack of ships in port, Mr. Bascome promised that the Corporation was working to revitalise the town by attracting more locals to the East End.

"In six months, St. George's will be the place to be," he said. "We want to create a buzz that will take us through into March. I've heard people in the media say that it's a ghost town, but it's not. It's a ghost town in the West. We are the new horizon."

He said that he had spoken to many young entrepreneurs who were looking to set up businesses in the East End.

"The other day I was walking with a couple through the town showing them where the buildings are available. They want to come up and be part of St. George's."