Government is hoping to secure car parking space at the Belmont hotel for Warwick ferry commuters.

American developer James Dwyer is in the middle of buying the empty property from Forte hotels, but the Transport Ministry is still hopeful of working out a deal when the dust has settled.

Ministry of Transport Programme Coordinator Larry Jacobs said a deal would be in everybody's mutual interest.

He said: "It's a win, win situation. The more people using the service, the better chance we have of retaining it and providing as much service as possible.'' Future guests at the hotel would also benefit from a viable ferry service, noted Mr. Jacobs.

"We have made a formal request to Trusthouse Forte and the potential new owners of that property. We hope to sit down with them and discuss providing parking.'' He said there were around two dozen parking spaces available at the site and commuters were now leaving their cars in the slip road to Harbour Road.

A joint-use arrangement was possible, said Mr. Jacobs, with commuters using some of the spaces during weekdays and the new owners having it for events, such as golf tournaments, at weekends.

"How many spaces we might take also depends on feedback from the new owners,'' said Mr. Jacobs.

"But until we get a sense of what the potential new owners feel, I can't comment on when this might be. We've had no response yet.'' Gordon Slatford, of Forte Hotels who are selling the site, confirmed Government's interest but was uncertain whether hard cash had been offered.

He said: "A letter from Government went to head office relating to it.

"The property is under contract for sale to someone else. It's a 90-odd acre plot and we are not going to mess with that and subdivide it at this point in time.'' It's thought the Dwyer deal could be completed by September.

And Mr. Jacobs left it open on whether a cash deal was possible or whether the new owners would be asked to give up the space.

He said: "We don't know until we sit down with the new owners.'' Marine and Ports Director Ron Ross said car parking would boost passengers at the already busy ferry stop.

He said: "It would definitely improve its attractiveness.''