A City of Hamilton official has urged drivers to call him if they know of fellow-motorists who repeatedly ignore parking laws.

Corporation secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt, a former Police inspector, said drivers could phone him about cars that were constantly parked illegally in the same place.

"I do have some contacts in the Police Force and with the traffic wardens, and I generally find they will get right onto it if someone is getting away with it,'' he said.

Mr. Sherratt was speaking on Wednesday to a Hamilton Lions lunch on difficulties facing the city.

Double parking was one of the biggest problems, he said, and it would only be solved by people being considerate.

He also revealed that construction of a multi-storey car park at Bulls Head could start next year.

He told diners the Corporation hoped its plan for the all-day car park -- already approved in principle -- would soon get a final go-ahead.

While the Corporation could not completely solve its traffic problem, it would be looking at providing all-day parking on the outskirts of the city and short-term parking in the centre.

It would need to encourage use of buses, he said. More mini-buses might also be used in the future.

He added: "There are no easy solutions to Hamilton's traffic problem. Every single change is met with approval by some and very strong disagreement by others.'' More Police were needed on the street to catch double-parkers and keep traffic flowing.

Mr. Sherratt revealed the Corporation had a long-term plan to install computerised traffic lights that would work in unison, helping traffic flow during the morning and easing the drive home at night.

As for pedestrianisation, councillors were looking into it. But stores often had no back entrances for loading up delivery trucks during the day. Service vehicles, like air-conditioning repair vans, also needed access.

"It's a good idea, pedestrianising parts of the city, but we're not going to be completely pedestrianising the city because it's totally impractical.'' Mr. Sherratt said Hamilton's cargo dock was tiny compared to others around the world.

To enlarge it, a warehouse dealing with small individual shipments would have to be moved. The Corporation was looking for a suitable site.

Government was also considering a levy on containers to help pay for enlargement works.

Its approval was also needed for work on the Marine and Ports warehouse, making way for a scheme to get waiting trucks off Front Street.

"Improving the docks for the long-term benefit of the community is very high on the Corporation's agenda,'' Mr. Sherratt said.

But turnaround at the docks was very efficient at the moment, and in the present economic climate there was no space shortage.

Animal problems were a headache for the city, he said. Horse droppings were a "steaming issue'' and wild cats living in car parks were being spayed to reduce numbers.

The pigeon population was rapidly increasing, with droppings disfiguring roofs, especially near the water.

The birds could spread all over the Island, he said, and there was no answer to their boom in numbers yet.

Asked about past schemes for an auditorium on the City Hall car park, Mr.

Sherratt said the Corporation backed the "excellent'' idea.

The City Hall theatre was booked all year round -- sometimes three years in advance.

"Bermuda probably needs a larger theatre, and we would like to think it would be somewhere near City Hall.'' Mr. Sherratt said Hamilton compared well with other cities. "It's still one of the cleanest, safest and most beautiful cities in the world.'' Mr. Roger Sherratt.