For many people with mobility issues, something as simple as sitting on the sand beside the ocean can be an extremely difficult task.

But a 60 metre AccessMat purchased by the Tauranga City Council that provides a sturdy path to the beach for people using wheelchairs, walkers, mobility scooters or strollers is set to change this.

On Friday council rolled out the AccessMat opposite Mount Drury at Mount Maunganui main beach, where it will remain for people to use up until 8am on Wednesday.

Two people who tried out the new mat were Asha Carlyle and her SILC support worker Becky Klien, so what was their verdict?

'Brilliant, absolutely brilliant, it's just great. The word has definitely gotten out, I know a few people who'll be coming down to use the mat,” says Becky.

'For people with mobility issues, they encounter a lot of obstacles in front of many things, like going down to the beach. Normally there's nothing down here to let them do that, so things like this mat gives them opportunity to experience things a lot of us take for granted.”

Becky is also hopeful the AccessMat will become a permanent addition down at the Mount main beach, and she isn't the only one.

Replying to several comments on their Facebook page by people asking if the mat could be a permanent fixture, a Tauranga City Council spokesperson says they hope to have the mat available for extensive periods over summer every year.

Council is also looking to fund more matting for trials at other locations too, adds the spokesperson.

The mat not reaching the footpath made getting off the beach a bit harder for Becky and Asha.