according to the Corporation of Hamilton it emerged in the House of Assembly on Friday.

The issue cropped up as MPs approved an amendment to the Private Roads Improvement Act 1969 ensuring that householders did not have to up their share of the repairs after the recent ARV hike.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott said the formula change meant owners of high end and low end properties would see no change while only those in the middle "might pay a few pennies more''.

Opposition MP Tim Smith said householders on private roads were calling for speed bumps.

But he said Government had said they may impede emergency vehicles but he noted the Corporation were installing them at many sites in the city.

He said: "It boggles the mind we have different standards for private roads.'' He said it was ironic that the bumps were barred elsewhere because they might slow ambulances on their way to road accidents that might have been avoided had there been more speed bumps.

And he said the speed restrictions should be put near primary and pre-schools.

But Mr. Scott said if a visitor was injured by a speed bump the Government would be open to a legal challenge and that there were other ways to modify speed.

He said: "I can't answer for the Corporation of Hamilton.'' Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt told The Royal Gazette the city was getting raised pedestrian crossings not speed bumps which enhanced pedestrian safety by making them more visible as they crossed as well as slowing traffic.

Mr. Scott also promised a boost to Bermuda's 155 miles of private roads in Friday's debate after he revealed they were mended at the rate of 1.9 miles per year.

Private roads make up more than half of the Island's roads and MPs from all sides agreed more needed to be done for their upkeep.

Mr. Scott says he is to put innovative new approaches to maintaining private roads to Cabinet "so we can better serve the community in this regard''.

He said permission needed to be sought from 75 percent of landowners before work could begin.

But Mr. Smith said: "Revolutionary ideas need to come forward for private roads. A formula change is not a revolution.

"This formula change allows the same level of funding.''