United Bermuda Party candidate Mr. Trevor Moniz does not believe a shopping complex planned for the junction of Collector's Hill and South Road will exacerbate traffic problems in the area.

Though shoppers will use the same parking lot entrance as patrons of Phase One Video and the Cottage Bakery, the plan was to widen it and make it a "bell-mouth'' gateway, the Smith's South candidate said.

Mr. Moniz believed Government's million-dollar project to make the area safer was proving successful.

But he conceded there were problems with illegal parkers. He had received complaints from Apothecary management that people patronising the Specialty Inn were parking in its parking bays.

But he believed the problem could be solved by linking all the parking lots at the rear of the South Road stores. "People could park in one place and wander around to all the shops,'' he said.

Mr. Moniz met yesterday with Works Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto to discuss the situation and concerns of residents.

He said she agreed to try and see if the private A-1 parking lot project could be sped up so the parking bays in front of the grocery store could be reduced to just five.

"With all the improvements to the area I do not believe the Gilbert Lopes project will make the situation worse,'' he said.

The Royal Gazette disclosed yesterday that construction will soon begin on a major two-floor office and shopping complex on land east of the Cottage Bakery.

Collector's Hill resident Mrs. Joycelyn Marshall had complained the week before that the area was turning into a "traffic nightmare''.

Developer of the planned shopping complex Mr. Lopes has planning approval but is awaiting a building permit. The building will probably house a restaurant, hair salon, travel agent, florist and spaces for several offices and shops.

BUILDING SITE -- This is the site of the proposed new shopping and restaurant complex beside the Cottage Bakery in Smith's Parish.