A section of road where six people have died in road accidents is to undergo safety improvements "very shortly", Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess said yesterday.

Asphalt chips will be laid in the area of the Crow Lane/Corkscrew Hill junction — where 33-year-old James Quinn died in a bike crash three months ago — to create a rougher surface on the road.

Mr. Burgess told a Throne Speech press conference this would compel drivers to go more slowly, and also improve the handling of vehicles on the road.

Four deaths have happened in that spot on East Broadway since 2001, with Brian Hughes, Michael Taylor and Jan DeSilva losing their lives in addition to Mr. Quinn. Motorists have complained the road can be difficult to negotiate because of the way it arches.

Dangerous pieces of road in White Hill and near Dub Hill, in Hamilton Parish, are also set for asphalt chips, the Minister said.

Mr. Burgess said other planned road safety improvements included installing flashing amber beacons at pedestrian crossings.

A bus shelter maintenance programme is underway, but the Minister also had to report on a disturbing trend of thieves stealing bright pink and blue coverings from bus stop poles.

"We deplore the kind of anti-social conduct that leads to removal of the coverings and call upon the public to speak with one voice against it," he said.

Outlining other projects for his Ministry for the next 12 months, Mr. Burgess said Government will be investing in the purchase of buildings so it can cut the $12 million it spends annually on rent.

"This important initiative will reduce costs through decentralisation of offices within the City of Hamilton," he said.

"The reduction of the amount of rented space will be achieved by carefully matching the termination of existing office leases with space becoming available through the purchase of buildings by Government."

Wheelchair access will be set up at Clearwater Beach in St. David's, Long Bay in Somerset and an unidentified central beach.

"Our wheelchair users will now be able to reach the beach without the difficulty normally associated with moving through heavy sand," said Mr. Burgess.

Meanwhile, Government will introduce a disposal fee for the Marsh Folly and Airport Waste Management Facilities, as suggested in the 2004 Sustainable Waste Management Plan. New legislation will simultaneously be brought in to increase fines for illegal dumping.