The new bus terminal in Hamilton is expected to be ready by next summer.

Corporation secretary Roger Sherratt said work should begin on the project in early 2004.

"The bus shelter will be improved, with much better shelter from the rain and sun that it now has," said Mr. Sherratt. "It will be much more attractive and it will better utilise that stretch of road. It will be safer and more efficient."

Mr. Sherratt said the temporary bus stop will be on the north side of Church Street near the City Hall Car Park, where the bus terminal was before it was moved to its current location.

"The temporary bus shelter might also be on either Victoria Street, Dismount Drive or where the old bus stop was on Church Street."

Mr. Sherratt added that the bus terminal is a joint project between the Public Transportation Board, Works and Engineering and the Corporation of Hamilton.

He said: "The Corporation are delighted to be working with the other organisations on this project.

"The new terminal will work on a one-way system, with buses entering off Victoria Street and leaving the station via Church Street exit.