The Bus Terminal in Hamilton could be relocated in Government plans to reduce traffic congestion and eradicate unruly behaviour from students.

Following numerous complaints and a petition by community activist Charles Spanswick earlier this year, Government is working with the Corporation of Hamilton to address the problems.

A possibility is that a new, larger central site be found for the terminal, although there is little space around Hamilton for it.

But also being considered is widening the road at its present location in Church Street, and banning through traffic.

Mr. Spanswick handed the 1,400-name petition to Government urging that something be done to reduce the traffic congestion at the terminal in Church Street and to discourage so many youngsters from hanging around the area in the evenings.

It followed a number of violent outbreaks between groups of students, which resulted in increased policing and the introduction of closed circuit television cameras.

Last week, Mr. Spanswick received a letter from Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown explaining that the issues were in hand and Government hoped to submit a plan by February next year.

Last week, Dr. Brown said something had to be done to solve the problems.

He said: "We would like to move the terminal, but we have no idea and no choice as yet on where to put it.

"We know that the present location is unacceptable to us and to lots of other people. It doesn't serve the purpose.

"We are looking long-term and nothing is imminent. It will take time and all of the issues and options have to be looked at.'' In his letter, Dr. Brown said: "There is little doubt that the facility is not large enough to accommodate the amount of bus and pedestrian traffic that exists today.

"We are in discussions with the Corporation of Hamilton and the Ministry of Works and Engineering to address the situation. We have to bear in mind the Corporation's master plan for the City.

"It is our goal to submit a plan in February 2001 for resolving the central bus terminal issues.'' Mr. Spanswick's petition also called for a ban on noisy boom boxes and car stereos.

And yesterday the community activist said he was delighted to read from Dr.

Brown that that issue was also under scrutiny by Government.

The Transport Minister's letter read: "We have a review underway to examine current noise standards and enforcement policies.

"As you are aware, noise standards already exist and we will be meeting soon with the Police to discuss a campaign of enforcing those standards.'' Mr. Spanswick, who put himself forward as a candidate for Mayor of Hamilton earlier this year, said: "I definitely feel better after receiving this. The Transport Minister himself has signed and sent the letter -- that is encouraging.

Bus Terminal may be moved "I don't see how they can relocate the terminal because it has to be based in the centre of the city for business and tourism's sake, but I do think a lot of problems could be solved if they stopped the through traffic.

"I also still believe it would be a lot better if students were not allowed anywhere near the terminal in the evenings. They should be taken straight home from school.'' Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt said he was aware there were problems and he was in discussions with Government over how they could be solved.

He said: "If we are moving towards increasing the use of public transport, which I know the Transport Minister is keen to do, the Bus Terminal we have is too small.

"It's going to be very difficult to move the entire site. That has been looked at for some years and we have never found the answer.

"There is no point in having a bus terminal that is not in the city centre and there is simply nowhere else for it to go. The Corporation would be strongly opposed to it being moved out of Hamilton.

"It's not an easy problem to solve, but we are looking at different ways for improvement.'' He said studies had been carried out to see if the problem of students congregrating could be stopped, but he said each school took pupils from various parts of the Island and it would not be viable to have buses collect them at the schools and take them straight home.

They have to be brought into the city where they can catch their respective buses home.

He added: "Obviously, the Corporation would prefer it if hundreds of students did not have to come into the bus terminal, but that's not within our control.''