Thank you Mr Mayor,

The amendment I am pleased to propose is focused on the timing for when the two petitions will actually be properly considered. Today, we will hear reassuring words, bucket loads of empathy, sympathy and everything else needed for councillors to get out of this meeting without putting their foot in it over Madeira Drive.

What this meeting can’t do is deal with the issues that the petitions raise. That won’t happen until a report is produced by officers containing all the detail to enable a considered, evidence-based, sound decision being reach.

The best council can do today is send the petition to Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee at the end of September. Our amendment can help a little.

The petitioners have already lost several weeks because of the Administration change. That might not sound a lot but for some, their season is close to over and by the end of September, it quite possibly could be.

This council at warp speed has implemented massive changes to Madeira Drive and the city generally and in my opinion not all good. However, what it demonstrates is that if the council wants to, it can act fast. That speed is generally linked to the desire to want to do something. So, our amendment will just demonstrate to the city this chamber has the will and desire to act fast.

Councillors today can instruct officers to convene an urgency sub-committee for the 21st August. Officers can easily meet this deadline with a report because if they have been doing their job right, they will have the data and information.

I would be very surprised if what all we need to know to decide to keep Madeira Drive open or closed isn’t known when officers are already designing the removal of parking on Marine Parade and the extension of the cycle lanes from the Aquarium roundabout eastwards.

The Administration however has already moved on having thrown the problem ball of Madeira Drive over their shoulder. 

Officers have all the information needed to alter the traffic regulation order and reopen the east end by Duke’s Mound, so it would be incredulous if a report can’t be produced for next Friday. Of course, the primary reason the bottom of Duke’s Mound has been reopened is nothing to do with Covid, the council needs to deliver the Black Rock enabling works.

I offer therefore that dealing with the petitions supported by detailed officer reports on the 21st August is absolutely possible. All that will happen this afternoon is for the public to see if councillors have the will and desire to make that happen or ignore nearly 15,000 signatures who need some form of action now.