A notoriously congested junction in Smith?s will soon get two traffic lights, sidewalk and new entrance and exit scheme to shops.

Smith?s Parish Council chairwoman Laureen C. Bassett said the changes, which were due to be implemented this year, have been delayed until March because of property negotiations.

In November 2004 residents met to confront the problem of congestion, speeding and access in and out of the shops at Collector?s Hill junction. She said and the current plan was an amalgamation of their ideas.

?A one-way entrance will go in by the Apothecary and out by the A1 Grocery,? Ms Bassett said. ?We are negotiating with a couple of landowners to try and get the parking extended to go into the marsh area. It is practically set in stone perhaps with some slight alterations.?

Centenary Church will be giving up some of its land in order to build a sidewalk so children will not have to encounter the heavy traffic, she said.

?It has been like this for 25 years. It is time to get it done,? she said. ?There is no need for it to go on any longer.?

Ms Bassett said the new traffic lights are on the Island and permission has been granted to erect them.

One pelican crossing will run from a bus stop on the eastern carriageway of South Shore Road to Collector?s Hill Apothecary, she said. Another would connect Centenary Church to A1 Grocery, she said.

The Parish Council also approved the formation of two-year $5,000 scholarship to Bermuda College to honour Shellee Smith, who died in a road traffic accident this year.