A new speed bump has been installed over rumble strips in Flatts Village in an effort to slow motorists down but some people say they were surprised by the new feature claiming it has caused one accident as well as several near misses.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering yesterday asked motorists to take heed as they travelled over the new speed bump, which was introduced on Wednesday.

A Ministry spokesperson said: "Rumble strips were installed earlier this year in response to area residents and businesses who wanted motorists to reduce speed as they travelled through the Flatts Village area.

The new speed humps are an additional measure to ensure the safety of the motoring public.

"New road markings have been introduced to make the speed humps more visible and also speed hump signs to warn motorists that speed bumps are being used in this area.

"The Ministry reiterates its appeal to the motoring public to exercise care and caution and above all reduce speed as they travel through Flatts Village."

The speed bump is similar to one used on Par-la-Ville Road in Hamilton.

And the Highways section of Works and Engineering said it would be reviewing its effectiveness while motorists learn to navigate the new road safety measure.

According to Marico Thomas, owner of Upper Crust and Indigo restaurant in Flatts, motorists generally travelled through the village at "dangerously" high speeds.

The businessman said the rumble strips placed adjacent to the Upper Crust parking lot this summer had slowed a majority of the motorists. But as large vehicles like trucks and buses travelled over the strips it would cause vibrations, which led to cracks forming in the walls of the buildings.

The speed bump, about the length of a "B" class car was installed to replace the strips, said Mr. Thomas. While he had no prior knowledge or warning of the new feature, he said he was "quite happy" to see the change.

The daylight hours went by relatively smoothly, but there were some problems that night as many motorists were surprised by the speed bump, which was not yet painted, he said.

In addition to one known accident there were also a few near misses, added Mr. Thomas.

A Police spokesman confirmed that around 8.55 p.m. on Wednesday there was a single vehicle collision on North Shore Road, in Smith's.

The spokesman said: "It appears that a motorcycle was travelling through the Flatts area when the rider, a 20-year-old Warwick woman, lost control.

"As a result she was injured and taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment; however her injuries were apparently relatively minor." She was yesterday in stable condition on a general ward at the hospital.

In addition to being painted yesterday, the speed bump was also widened. It is now less steep and has a "profile similar to the raised crosswalks which are present in Hamilton".

Mr. Thomas praised Government's efforts and said: "The fact that something is being done to make Flatts safer should be applauded.

"That an adjustment was made within one day deserves a huge thumbs up. We all hope that this new measure makes a difference.

"I note with interest that even now, as traffic flows over the one half that is complete, 90 percent of the traffic slows down significantly, five percent seem to slow down only somewhat, and that other five percent are actually either not slowing down or are even going faster.

"Some people will never learn."