Planning and transport officials and Hamilton city fathers last night unveiled proposed strategies for an improved City plan.

The City of Hamilton Plan, due to be completed some time this year, will include several strategies to improve the flow of traffic, ease of pedestrian travel for the able and disabled, and improved parking.

The discussion paper has been circulated to various government departments, the National Trust, Chamber of Commerce, and various businesses in Hamilton, and is available to the public.

Minister of Transport Arthur Hodgson hailed the plan as "a way to recoup something of what we had in the past''.

Mayor of Hamilton, William Frith said the City wanted input from everyone and said: "It is something we wish for you to discuss. We need your thoughts.'' Introduced by assistant director of planning Peter Adwick, the plan will be the first review of the City's traffic conditions since the 1972 study by Freeman Fox and Associates.

The key discussion points of the new transport strategy are; reducing the amount of and managing the circulation of traffic, particularly commuter car traffic; and establishing a city parking strategy with associated parking priorities.

An improved pedestrian environment; and better access for the less mobile who include seniors, physically challenged, wheel-chair bound, the blind, and parents with strollers.

Mr. Adwick also revealed several statistics found during a post card survey conducted by Symonds Travers Morgan in 1997.

He also noted an "exceptional'' response rate of 34 percent from travellers despite "some grumbling'' the morning of the survey.

Mr. Adwick said that East Broadway and Cavendish Road carry more than 40 percent of traffic into Hamilton.

Such highways as North Street, Serpentine Road, and Parson's Road carry an increased amount of traffic but said there had been a huge increase in the amount of car traffic.

Most people travel into Hamilton in cars and most of them travel alone, he said, adding that school trips account for some 15 percent of traffic.

"Our philosophy is to promote sustainability,'' he said. "We want to balance transport needs with environmental concerns.'' HAMILTON HAM