of Hamilton kicks off Monday, Corporation of Hamilton Roger Sherratt announced yesterday.

And legislation which restricts parking in loading bays for ten minutes, unless loading and unloading is actually taking place, is due before the House of Assembly in the next few weeks, he added.

Mr. Sherratt told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "The Corporation of Hamilton is aware of a serious problem with people who, sometimes blatantly, double park on the busiest streets in Hamilton.

"One or two cars, double parked, can cause a major congestion problem on Reid, Church and Queen Streets. The problem is worst on Queen Street outside Kentucky Fried Chicken and Leisure Time Video.

"This is a real annoying problem for the public.'' Starting Monday, he continued, the Police and traffic wardens would be on the lookout for people double parking on any city street.

"There is absolutely no excuse for double parking. Please do not double park in Hamilton or you can expect a ticket.'' Turning to another serious problem involving parking in Hamilton, Mr. Sherratt noted: "There are a lot of goods vehicles that use loading zones for no other reason than convenient free parking.'' The drivers of said vehicles, he continued, were providing no service in the city or loading/unloading goods. Instead they were in the city to shop, eat or use the banks.

"We are going to be introducing new legislation that will better control loading zones. It will be known as the Ten Minute Rule and what it will mean is if you are parked in a loading zone you have to be loading or unloading.

"If there is no sign of loading and unloading for more than ten minutes then you will get a ticket.'' These changes to existing law have to be approved by Parliamentarians and will go before the House in the next couple of weeks, said Mr. Sherratt.

"It should soon become the law. I urge anyone driving a goods vehicle not to use the loading zones unless they are delivering goods.'' For businesses which need to park in the city for the purpose of carrying out various repair jobs and/or maintenance, parking will be provided, he added.

"They do need to park in the city, The Corporation will provide special parking areas for service vehicles. They will have to pay an annual fee but they will have areas all around the town centre.''