Vehicles caught loitering in City of Hamilton loading zones for more than ten minutes will be ticketed if new rules drafted by the Corporation of Hamilton make it through the legislature.

The new rules had been made necessary because abuse of the loading zones had added to traffic congestion in the City, said Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt.

"During a survey conducted by the Corporation before considering these changes it was discovered that the majority of vehicles parking in loading zones on lower Reid Street were neither loading nor unloading," he stated.

"The drivers of many of the goods vehicles using the loading zones were coming into Hamilton to conduct other business, visit restaurants, the banks, etc. But we now have so many commercial vehicles that it has become impossible to provide... `free' parking at the expense of all those goods vehicles genuinely wanting to make deliveries."

A new service vehicle parking permit will be issued at the cost of $1000 annually giving parking rights in parking areas designated for service vehicles.

"These permits will only be issued to those companies who can clearly show that they provide service (such as maintaining air-conditioners and computers) in the City on a regular basis."And for businesses which might find the yearly permit fee nonviable, a row of parking bays along Victoria Street, next to Victoria Park, will be converted for the exclusive use of goods vehicles for up to two hours using the regular vouchers.

City based goods vehicles will have the exclusive right to park in several car parks in Hamilton for a yearly fee of $500.

The Corporation has already installed such an area in the Par-la-Ville car park for some 16 vehicles owned by stores in the Queen Street/lower Reid Street area.

The new rules might well be tabled in the House of Assembly today. Mr. Sherratt stressed that they are not likely to be implemented until the Spring of next year, if they are approved by the legislature.

The Corporation is also planning other changes which will give it the power to tow vehicles which obstruct a driveway or are parked dangerously.