regenerating the north side of town and says plans for a North Street park are already underway.

Mr. Mapp said the New City of Hamilton Plan should be tabled in Parliament in February, but he indicated that it would depend on what other more pressing matters needed to be discussed before it was given a hearing.

He said the plan was essentially the blueprint for the next three years for the City and that it contained a detailed traffic plan.

Mr. Mapp said: "Once it has been tabled, we will have the opportunity to get stake holders on board, have meetings and get their input.'' And in an invitation to make the talks inclusive, Mr. Mapp said: "We want to involve the people as much as possible.'' Mr. Mapp hinted at what the plan contained and said: "During my tenure, I would like to think that I can make a difference on the North side of Hamilton, and we are planning a park on North Street.'' He said he hoped that area residents would enjoy the park, which is currently vacant land, and hoped it could be completed before the start of summer.

Mr. Mapp said that clearing of trash from the site had already started and it would work nicely with Government's planned park at the old dump.

And in a move to help retailers, Mr. Mapp said: "I would also like to do something to help the retailers on Court Street,'' and suggested starting up a Friday and Saturday craft market which he hoped would open up the area.

In December, Corporation of Hamilton Secretary, Roger Sherratt indicated that the new plan would aim to decrease Bermuda's reliance on private cars and encourage the use of public transportation.

The last city of Hamilton Plan was drawn up in 1984, and discussions concerning the current Plan started over five years ago.

Groups that were consulted included the National Trust, The Chamber of Commerce, The Architects Association as well as Government departments such as Works and Engineering and the Parks department.

Points that were brought up by special interest groups included: better development of North Hamilton and making it secure, improving the waterfront area, improving traffic flow through the city, the possibility of pedestrianising certain areas, the need to preserve the aesthetics and the town's historical buildings, and whether to expand the city's boundaries, and whether the existing plan, is seen as too restrictive.