Trial plan brings Mount Maunganui one-way system a step closer

How The Mall on Pilot Bay could look with a one-way system and two-way cycle cruiseway. Graphic / Tauranga City Council

A plan to trial a one-way system along Pilot Bay is back on track after doubting councillors were persuaded that extra car parking had to be sacrificed to accommodate a two-way cycle cruiseway.

The council's transport committee unanimously agreed to seek feedback from affected Mount Maunganui residents and businesses on the proposed six-month trial.

Councillor Steve Morris said he was reserving judgment on the plan until he had heard from residents.

Last month he argued that the scheme should be dropped after sensing the council would be on ''a hiding to nothing'' by seeking public feedback on a one-way proposal that retained parallel parking instead of gaining 14 more parks by angle parking.

The one-way system was for north-bound traffic, from Salisbury Ave's intersection with Victoria St, up The Mall and then around into Adams Ave, ending at the roundabout with Maunganui Rd. A cruiseway would be built on the beach side of the road.

Council transport planning specialist Karen Hay said investigations had shown there was no feasible way to deliver increased parking and a cruiseway.

''Given that no parking gains can be achieved, it is recommended that public feedback is sought, prior to consideration of the implementation of a trial.''

The unanimous vote was preceded by cycling advocate Heidi Hughes speaking about the benefits of the plan. She was armed with signatures and comments from 232 people from Bike Mount, including a cyclist who said the Mount was treacherous, particularly in the summer.

Another person said they used to enjoy cycling on the Pilot Bay boardwalk until the council banned all cyclists except for children-sized bikes.

Hughes said a one-way system would be a small price to pay for residents having to drive around an extra corner.

Hay said the challenge with angle parking on The Mall was that it required substantial manoeuvring space whereas parallel parking required a one-metre space for door opening.

Consultation would take place in May, with the implementation of the trial around July-August if the council agreed.

Hay said no negative responses had been received from residents during informal discussions. Residents opposed putting the cruiseway on their side of the road because it would conflict with driveway manoeuvres.

Councillor Larry Baldock said it would be a shame, after all the council had done, not to go out for consultation. Some residents who were historically opposed to the idea now saw merit in the proposal.

Councillor Terry Molloy said the council had been talking about trialling a one-way system for a long time. It would provide a linkage for a cycleway network around the city.

The council also agreed to discontinue the investigation into a one-way system for Marine Parade, Banks Ave and all of Salisbury Ave.

Key issues as Mount Maunganui North gets busier
- Increased traffic congestion.
- Increase demand for parking.
- Community desire for the area to be more liveable.
Source: Tauranga City Council.