the Somerset ferry service from March 1.

Mr. Ronald Ross said the department had battled to minimise inconvenience.

But the proposed cuts have come under fire, amid claims they will badly disrupt commuters and increase traffic on the roads.

A Somerset woman, in a letter to The Royal Gazette , claimed the cuts deliberately targeted regular users like herself, not tourists.

The slashed service, with leaving times from Hamilton, will be: Monday-Friday, 6.15 a.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.; and Monday-Saturday, 6 p.m.

Marine & Ports officials recently gauged reaction to the changes through a questionnaire.

It said the survey was helpful in trying to minimise disruption.

In a letter to those who filled in the questionnaire, Mr. Ross said: "We apologise for any inconvenience or distress you may experience due to this unfortunate reduction in our service.'' But in her letter to the paper, the Somerset woman, who does not wish to be named, described the cuts as "unfortunate''.

She said people who currently make work at 8 a.m., and those who don't leave for home until 5.30 p.m., will no longer be able to use the ferry.

In addition, sales staff will not be able to use the ferry on Saturdays to make 9 a.m. in Hamilton.