high-speed ferries has been thrown down by Minister Ewart Brown.

Dr. Brown said he made the move in the face of apparent Opposition attempts to torpedo the plans for new, faster, ferries.

And he added: "If they will provide the date, time and place, our transport team will be ready to present them with the facts surrounding Bermuda's higher speed ferry system.'' But last night Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said the Opposition was not against fast ferries -- and had included them in its Transport 2000 blueprint while Government.

He added: "There are two things we're saying -- we don't think fast ferries will work for Bermuda.

"The other is he's saying we're against them because we don't know what they're proposing.

"But he should have consulted, not with us, but with the people of Bermuda on what he was proposing before they did anything.'' Dr. Brown -- speaking in the House of Assembly on Friday -- said an earlier offer to share background and planning information on the new ferries had been spurned.

He added: "I thought at the time that this offer would enlighten the Opposition on our plans for the ferry system -- not only the new boats, but also the dock and landside infrastructure.

"Information creates knowledge and I truly thought that they would benefit from the meeting.'' Dr. Brown claimed that it had become clear that the Opposition was against modernising the ferry network.

But he insisted: "However, despite their ill-advised conclusions the Government remains committed to this education exercise to provide the facts for Her Majesty's loyal Opposition.'' Tenders for the four catamaran -- twin-hulled -- vessels are currently being drawn up by interested contractors.

The first ferries should be running by September next year, carrying 250 passengers at up to 35 knots. And Dr. Brown said that an integrated transport plan was needed to link schedules for ferries, buses and private bus operators.

The ferry schedule will be changed and an increased number of trips to the West End with an improved Sunday service also being introduced.

Demand from the western parishes for ferry services could also be met by a new terminal, while existing docks will be improved with better car parking and mini-bus services.

Government hopes an improved ferry service will make travelling by sea more attractive -- and ease traffic congestion on Bermuda's roads. Mr. Adderley said previously that buying new ferries should be delayed until building work to accommodate them had been completed.

And he questioned the potential impact on the environment from faster ferries, including erosion from larger wakes.

Mr. Adderley also accused Government of "scaremongering'' by implying that new ferries had to be bought quickly because existing ones would not last another season.