The Corporation of Hamilton yesterday announced that four members of the public have joined the municipality's pedestrianisation committee making good on an election promise to invite public participation in the city's decision-making processes.

The job of the pedestrianisation subcommittee is to make the City of Hamilton more pleasant to walk through.

Initiatives including the widening of sidewalks and efforts to make Hamilton more "green" are aimed to "make an impact on how people shop and enjoy the city", said Glenn Smith, chairman of the Corporation of Hamilton Infrastructure Committee.

"Pedestrianisation is not just about closing streets, this project is much broader than that," said Mr. Smith speaking at City Hall yesterday. "It will take into account street improvements, increasing sidewalk space, making streets safer. It encourages cultural interaction and social understanding, attracting new businesses to areas, improved traffic flow and encourages a greener city."

The four new members of the committee were selected for their specialty knowledge in areas relevant to pedestrianisation.

"One of the promises the Corporation members made during the last election was to ensure there was greater public representation on the committees that make decisions about the City of Hamilton," said Mr. Smith. "We also indicated that we would invite members of the public with specialist knowledge and expertise to participate in our decision-making processes."

He added: "Each member brings many years of experience to the committee."

Pedestrianisation subcommittee members are Peter Adwick, architect Henry Ming, Charles Tatem of the Bermuda National Trust Historic Building Committee and city engineer Patrick Cooper.

Mr. Smith said that the corporation will be looking here and abroad as it considers plans for Hamilton.

"As part of the investigation process, the committee will speak with stakeholders including members of the public, retail establishments, bars and restaurants, the Economic Empowerment Zone team, the Uptown Market Association, the Chamber of Commerce and anyone who has a vision of what pedestrianisation might look like in Hamilton. Best practices from around the world will be examined and taken into consideration as the investigation moves forward," he said.

While no specific plans or projects to pedestrianise Hamilton have been finalised, Mr. Smith said: "We hope to have a recommendation for the infrastructure committee by July this year as to whether we should go through with a scheme on lower Reid Street."