A Collector's Hill resident, upset over persistent traffic problems in her area, has claimed that Government is letting big businesses "rule the day''.

Mrs. Joycelyn Marshall accused UBP Smith's South representatives Mr. Trevor Moniz and Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge of failing to listen to constituents' complaints over the "never-ending traffic mess''.

It was now turning into a "traffic nightmare'', she said, with planning permission recently given for development on property next to the Cottage Bakery.

She further charged the Works Ministry apparently had no control over A-1 MarketPlace, the "main culprit''.

A-1 was the only business at the Collector's Hill-South Shore Road shopping area allowed to let cars park in front of it, she complained.

"I must commend the Bermuda Drug Company, Specialty Inn and Cottage Bakery for making their areas safe and definitely beautifying the surroundings.

"However, with respect to the A-1 MarketPlace, one is left with the impression that big business is ruling the day over ineffective Smith's South representatives and Works and Engineering officers.'' Mrs. Marshall said it was her understanding Works officials would still allow A-1 to let cars park in front once its landlord, Gibbons Company, completed repaving a car park at the back.

She was told A-1 had been given permission to have as many as eight parking bays at the front -- though on an "in and out'' basis so there would be no reversing onto the main road.

"Not only can the area not accommodate eight parking bays but I could not get any definite answer from A-1 as to where bikes would be parked,'' she said.

However, a Works spokesman said A-1 was only being allowed to have five parking bays at the front. The rest of the parking would be at the back. He said the Ministry did not believe this would cause a traffic flow problem.

He justified A-1 being the only store allowed to have parking in front, saying it was the only business that had enough land in front for parkers not to have to back onto the road to get out.

MarketPlace executive vice president Mr. Allan Doughty said the store was also considering disabled shoppers by having parking in front.

He added: "We are certainly not defying anyone, we are cooperating.'' While looking into the problem, Mrs. Marshall said an employee of the supermarket told her A-1 was considered a "convenience store'' and if there were not parking bays in front, it would have to close down.

"At one time I could agree that the A-1 was a convenience store. However, those days are long past. I also feel the days should be long passed when big business can dictate to a Government department and jeopardise the safety of Bermuda's motoring public and pedestrians.'' She said Works had only imposed a "half solution'' to the problem. She added: "With a pending general election one would assume that (Mr. Woolridge and Mr.

Moniz) would be more willing than normal to listen to complaints of their constituents ... Anyone living in and around this area is fully aware that the traffic problem has taken an inordinate amount of time for anyone to resolve.'' She said she decided to look into the problem herself after receiving no reply from Mr. Woolridge and only a short telephone reply from Mr. Moniz. She had written to them with her concerns in May, she said.