Number Seven Shed car park will be permanently closed to motorists on March 1

The shed is to be demolished as the dock area undergoes construction that will allow for the installation of an X-ray machine capable of scanning containers.

Corporation secretary Ed Benevides announced the closure yesterday. He said the closure should not cause traffic pile ups as additional space will be made on the docks for trucks to load and unload while construction takes place.

"On March 1 the Corporation of Hamilton, working with Stevedoring Services Limited and HM Customs, will begin construction on the dock area to allow for a new container scanning X-ray machine to be installed," he said. "The work at the docks will involve the demolition of Number Seven Shed. Parking at Number Seven Shed will no longer be available to the public. Motorists who regularly use the Number Seven car park can park at the other car parks on Front Street or use Cavendish Car Park."

He continued: "The main entrance will move, upon completion, from Number Eight to just West of Number Seven. It will be completely restructured inside the dock.

"The trucks will be able to load and unload inside. There will be space for 18 trucks inside the dock so they won't be waiting outside."

He added that the timeline for completion was still being "worked out".

And Mr. Benevides said a joint presentation with the Corporation and other stakeholders will be held shortly to provide answers to any further questions.

Earlier this month the Corporation of Hamilton revealed that it would have to spend an additional $2 million to improve the docks — bringing the total cost of restructuring to $5 million.

The figure includes $1.5 million the municipality will pay towards the cost of the X-ray machine, which is designed to scan shipping containers for drugs and guns. Government will provide the same amount.

The new security system will scan each truck and container as it passes through the port, in a bid to eradicate smuggling.

It requires the redrawing of the entry and exit points at the docks, as well as the removal of Number Seven Shed.

The Corporation will also spend $1.5 million on more efficient lighting at the Front Street docks.

Mr. Benevides added: "Part of our overall construction objective is to improve the security on the docks, ensure all containers entering and leaving Bermuda are scanned and free of drugs and other contraband, and remove the traffic congestion caused by trucks entering and leaving the docks."