road-use survey entered its third day.

The results of the $100,000 survey -- conducted by British firm Symonds Travers Morgan -- will subsequently assist in the improvement of traffic flow and driving conditions within the City of Hamilton.

But several disgruntled motorists told The Royal Gazette that yesterday morning's traffic-jam stretched as far west as Warwick Academy and as far east as Flatts Village.

Traffic coming out of Hamilton was again backed up yesterday afternoon as surveyors handed out postcards to drivers. Governor Thorold Masefield's official Daimler was among the vehicles caught in the congestion, an eyewitness said.

One furious commuter from Paget said of the yesterday morning's traffic jam: "It was a disaster area -- traffic was backed up all along Harbour Road and Trimingham Hill wasn't much better. I don't know what the problem is, but something needs to be done.

"It's hardly surprising the level of driving seems to be deteriorating,'' he added. "People are frustrated and when they try to make up lost time, speeding and taking chances are the result.'' Another irate motorist said it took her an extra 30 minutes to get in to work.

"I came into Hamilton from Boaz Island (Sandys Parish) and traffic was backed up as far back as Chapel Road by Warwick Academy,'' she explained. "I was going to go on Harbour Road, but it was backed up along there too.'' And commuters travelling from the western parishes were not the only ones with "furious'' complaints.

"I came from St. David's and cars started getting backed up in Flatts Village,'' one cyclist said. "It cleared up for a while, but later it was backed up all along Palmetto Road and into town.'' Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt "sincerely'' apologised for the "very long delay''.

"We looked at different ways to collect the information we needed and the rush hour seemed the best time because at that time we can distribute the most cards,'' Mr. Sherratt said.

"In the long run it will be of benefit to everyone. We are very optimistic that in the long run we're going to improve the traffic flow into Hamilton.'' But Symonds Travers Morgan director Dean Hodson, while acknowledging the inconvenience to motorists, stated that the public had been previously informed of the potential delays.

"We publicised well via the paper, the radio and the TV,'' he said. "We knew there was going to be some sort of disruption. It is unfortunate, but it's not as though they were not forewarned.'' He added: "It is important to stress that, okay, traffic has been backed up, but, with our long-term aim to improve traffic flow and conditions they (commuters) shouldn't let this get them down.

"It's just a few mornings and they (commuters) have to consider that it is in the context of improving Hamilton's traffic conditions,'' Mr. Hodson said.

TRAFFIC TFC GOVERNMENT GVT