Locals who turned out in their hundreds in November 2017 to protest at the proposal to open the Central Mall to traffic, will be interested to see on page 216 of next week’s Council agenda, a proposal from Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee, which was carried unanimously at their meeting on March 3rd.
It recommends a proposed trial to allow access into the eastern half of the Central Mall for drop off and pick ups, for a 12 month trial period, with a review after six months.
However it also recommends the zone be formalised with permanent signage, bollards and line marking, at no cost to Council (my italics – so who do they think will pay?); that the Mall stage be removed to allow an access driveway; and that the ‘opening’ times will be between 5pm and 8.30am.
What are they thinking? Which Mall businesses require ‘drop off and pick up’ after 5pm and before 8.30am? Why take away the stage to run a ‘trial’?
We all agree the Mall is not the lively place it could be, but right now the capacity for public consultation and indeed democracy is challenged by COVID 19, so let’s trust that our councillors will reject this strange recommendation.
The Council meeting to discuss this is on Wednesday 22nd April at 9am. It will be streamed and open to the public (online).
Come on, Councillors. Everybody knows the real reason that this terrible idea is re-surfacing. ARC represents us, not your businesses, and we have already spoken.