An extra ferry service could be provided to help West End commuters get to work while Somerset Bridge is under repair.

The world's smallest drawbridge will be closed during the summer so that vital maintenance work can be carried out.

And yesterday Senators argued that something must be done to reduce the subsequent traffic bottleneck caused by the closure.

A bailey bridge is now being built on the eastern side of Somerset Post Office to reroute traffic while the drawbridge is closed.

But Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge has warned that the temporary bridge will only allow one way traffic and therefore cause considerable delays, especially during peak periods.

Yesterday Opposition Senator Terry Lister suggested to the Senate that an extra ferry service could be laid on and special ferry passes provided for West End residents.

And his idea was taken up by Government Senators who agreed to put the suggestion to Government.

"It might cost us some more money but we might find that it works,'' Senator Lister said.

"A 6 p.m. ferry would do more good and let's have a system where people can transfer from the ferry to their cars or bikes.

Government Senate leader E.T. (Bob) Richards agreed with the idea and said he would put it to the Government.

"I think your idea to beef up the ferries is an excellent one,'' he told Senator Lister.

"This is going to be a real pain in the neck for the people living in the Somerset area.

"The bridge was built before we had heavy trucks on the roads.

"But traffic in Bermuda has got more frequent and heavier. The situation now is that the bridge really is posing a safety hazard.'' Last night Transport Minister Wayne Furbert confirmed that Government was investigating the idea of an improved ferry service during the summer months.