By Brendan Rees
People with mobility scooters, prams or wheelchairs are up in arms about a pedestrian level crossing which they say has narrow barriers, hindering their ability to move around.
Casey councillors voted to investigate access issues to the pedestrian crossing – which is situated on a disused Leongatha railway line alongside the South Gippsland Highway between Cranbourne Railway Station and Cranbourne Pre-Mix – as a matter of urgency during their meeting on 1 May.
Council will also look at whether to seal an uneven footpath that is littered with potholes between Cranbourne Pre-Mix and Australia Post, which is also causing problems for pedestrians.
Casy Council Deputy Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon said the level crossing was a “ridiculous situation” and “quite dangerous.”
“All we need to do in this instance is to remove one section of the fencing,” she said.
“It is critical that access for our residents who have mobility vehicles and mobility limitations to have clear and unhindered access to get to where they need to go.
“We need to address this where it is council’s responsibility and to advocate to the appropriate authority where it belongs with a State Government department,” she said.
Local resident Ian Brandon, who uses a mobility scooter, said the level crossing was restrictive: “You’ve got to do a sharp right and then a sharp right. It’s like driving a B-double through the back streets of Collingwood – it’s just not going to happen.”
“You don’t even have to remove the whole lot. If you took those four poles out and the bit of mesh you could just drive straight through it,” he said.
He said the pathway leading to the crossing was quite bumpy, adding “It’s like four-wheel-driving.”
“It’s not a major concern but it needs to be fixed before someone actually does hurt themselves.”
Mother-of-two Monique Easy said the pedestrian crossing was painfully inconvenient.
“I’ve got a double stroller so I can’t fit through and have anyone else come through at the same time.
“When it’s busy no one wants to wait for a mum with a pram,” she said.
Ms Easy said when using the uneven footpath: “I push the pram through it and there’s built up gravel – it’s a struggle to get the pram through.”
Metro spokesman Marcus Williams said: “We are absolutely committed to making sure the network is accessible for everyone to use safely and easily.”
“We are happy to discuss any proposals council has,” he said.
Mr Williams confirmed Metro had not been contacted by Casey Council at this stage.
Star News contacted Metro, VicTrack and Public Transport Victoria who say they do not own the footpath – which is not part of Casey Council’s responsibility.
A report will come back to council in June.
