alleviate its traffic problems is gathering momentum.

Last October, the Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP) launched the project and held a brainstorming session in November to glean ideas from the community.

The result was a number of recommendations which have since been acted on.

VIP chairman W.A. (Toppy) Cowen said: "Approximately 125,000 visitors and thousands of residents visit the Aquarium each year and we think enhancements to the Village and improvements in traffic conditions are essential in our commitment to revitalise our Island to be globally competitive in the 21st Century.'' A great deal has been accomplished during the past seven months under the chairmanship of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo's (BAMZ) Curator Richard Winchell, Mr. Cowne said.

The National Trust has provided information on various historic buildings; a loop video and booklet providing information for land and boat tours of the area has been produced; and Ambassador Awareness tours have been provided for taxi and bus drivers and tour operators by BAMZ.

The operators of the Bermuda Belle have set up a Flatts Visitor Information Desk to assist sightseers and the booking of other Island attractions while canoes and small sail boats will be available for rental, he continued.

Mr. Cowen also revealed: "A Craft Market has been proposed with various businesses in Flatts being given the first opportunity to set up their wares.

Interestingly, a young Bermudian lady, presently in Barbados, is scheduled to return soon and commence producing Bermuda products in the Village.

"A fruit and vegetable stand and possibly a fish market is visualised. We also invite entrepreneurs to construct garden furniture and souvenirs that would be appealing to Bermudians and visitors alike.'' Major problems the village encounters are traffic volume and speed and pedestrian safety so these are also being addressed.

"A preliminary vehicle survey was conducted recently to determine the flow of traffic and a questionnaire is being circulated to determine the satisfaction level of Flatts Village.'' The questionnaire will be circulated amongst some 500 people and will ask them to rate the shopping, restaurants and bars and tourist attractions Meanwhile a survey of the Flatts shoreline is being drafted and this will be presented to land owners eventually. Original ideas for the area included meandering walkways for pedestrians.

"The creation of pedestrian walkways through the Village and connecting the Aquarium to the Railway Museum and on to Shelly Bay is still very much on our agenda,'' Mr. Cowen added.

A meeting is scheduled for April 22 at 5.30 p.m. at BAMZ. Residents and business owners in Flatts are invited to attend.