The Chamber of Commerce is looking into the costs and possible funding of a parking survey after the Corporation of Hamilton declined to sponsor one.

Chamber of Commerce president Charles Gosling also stressed the need for a parking survey to be carried out in Hamilton, following the publication of the City of Hamilton Plan 2001, which sees the loss of several existing car parks in town.

"We are unaware of a survey determining the parking needs of the various stake holders with the city," he said.

The proposed transformation of Par-la-Ville Car Park into a hotel condominium development, the loss of three car parks on Victoria Street due to the new Police station, a bank headquarters and a 70 unit condominium scheme led to the Visitor's Retail Division spearheading discussions with the Corporation of Hamilton, he said.

"These have led to the Corporation committed to the addition of at least one more floor to the Bull's Head Car Park, making at least half of the City Hall car park available for short term parking, investigating the further development of Cavendish car park into a multi-storey lot and ensuring virtually all the lost Par-la-Ville car spots are actually part of the hotel's underground parking."

Mr. Gosling made the comments in his speech to members of the Hamilton Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon on Tuesday.