the closure of Somerset Bridge, it has been claimed. That is the view of one commuter who believes that once congestion starts to make the drive in to Hamilton difficult, motorists will start to think about taking the ferry.

Carla Forth, who currently drives into town each day, says at present the journey to Hamilton is trouble-free, so there is little to make people want to take to the waterways.

But, if the temporary causeway due to open whilst Somerset Bridge repairs are made causes delays, then she believes the ferries will start to see an increase in numbers.

"The reason they haven't taken advantage of the free ferries is because the traffic is still free flowing, they should have waited until it happens,'' she said.

"Until people are forced to leave home half-an-hour earlier because of the traffic, then they will think this is a better way to go. Then they may keep on going.'' Mike Dolding, Assistant Director of Marine and Port Services, said buses from Hamilton could be an option if that was what the groundswell of opinion wanted.

But he added it could be difficult to do that, with the different destinations people went to, and because at present most ferry passengers walked to work from the terminal.

The reason the free service was started before the bridge closure, was because they wanted to get it established and known to people so they could take advantage as soon as work started, he said.

It is understood the causeway across Somerset Bridge is due to open on Monday and the bridge repairs will start soon after.