Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris

At the transport committee this week, members expressed their frustrations about why there seems to be more talk than roadbuilding. Of course, talk is cheap but roads are expensive! We then debated the proposal for a one-way trial at The Mall (Pilot Bay).

It started when we were given a presentation by the proactive ‘Bike Mount' group last year and they asked council to investigate.

We were suitably impressed at the prospect of gaining a significant number of angle carparks and a cycle lane. Some locals and Mount Mainstreet also spoke in support, so we did the work.

Unfortunately, it turns out The Mall is too narrow for more angle parking and a cycleway without cutting into the reserve and removing some Norfolk pines.

Without angle parking, the one-way trial would reduce the total number of carparks at the Mount, so the proposal seemed to be at a dead end - or so you'd think.

With less carparks and the loss of freedom to drive east on The Mall, I suggested we shouldn't spend any more money and abandon the trial.

I said that if residents and the wider community were asked, their answer would be clear - no.

Do I want a slap in the face with a cold fish? No. Do I want less carparks and a directional restriction at the Mount? No.

It's obvious. The committee couldn't decide, so the matter is deferred another month pending a site visit with a measuring tape and some more talk!