Oxford Falls Road: Lobbying starts for bridge to replace flood causeway

Each year a popular road is closed several times by floodwaters spilling over a causeway — now frustrated residents want that causeway on Oxford Falls Rd replaced by a bridge.

Oxford Falls Rd — a popular shortcut between Oxford Falls and Belrose — is often closed due to flooding across a causeway. Now, residents and motorists want a bridge built over Middle Creek. File picture: Tim Hunter.

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Frustrated residents and businesses are lobbying authorities to build a bridge over a creek which frequently floods and blocks a well used northern beaches’ road.

They say Oxford Falls Rd — a popular shortcut between Wakehurst Parkway at Oxford Falls and Forest Way at Belrose — is closed several times a year by floodwaters.

Dangerous floodwaters from Middle Creek surge across Oxford Falls Rd in February this year. Picture: Damian Shaw

When Middle Creek floods, even during small storm events, electronic gates swing across the roadway to stop vehicles using the causeway. The road can be closed for several days at a time.

Now a petition is circulating calling on Northern Beaches Council to replace the concrete causeway with a bridge.

Resident Christian Pascali, whose family has lived on Oxford Falls Rd, near the creek, for more than 50 years, started the online petition a week ago. He is aiming for 500 signatures — it has 248 names on it so far.

Christian Pascali, of Oxford Falls, has started a petition calling on authorities to build a bridge over Middle Creek, on Oxford Falls Rd. Picture: Supplied

Mr Pascali said about 3000 vehicle a day — pre-coronavirus — crossed over the causeway.

Back in March 2010, the Manly Daily reported that despite the frequency of flooding across Oxford Falls Rd, the then Warringah Council had no plans to build a bridge across Middle Creek.

The council said then that a bridge had been considered, but was discounted due to the high cost and impact as well as low traffic volumes.

``The council has considered this area and undertook safety upgrade works in 2008 by providing a concrete level area at the causeway in Oxford Falls Rd,’’ a spokeswoman said at the time.

Oxford Falls Rd closed to traffic during a flood. Picture by Damian Shaw

Mr Pascali said this week that the flooding causeway had become a constant source of frustration for residents and motorists.

“When the road is blocked, cars bank up to turn around, causing congestion.

“It can be a nightmare for parents dropping off their kids at the childcare centre near us.

“We’re in 2020 now. We’re not back in the 1970s when there were chicken farms and pig farms along the road.

“There are more people using the road now. We just want to improve the road for safety reasons, to ease congestion and make it easier for people to get to their homes and businesses.”

The Telstra satellite earth station on Oxford Falls Rd, Oxford Falls. Picture: Telstra

Mr Pascali also pointed out that Telstra has its international telecommunications satellite facility and Australia Japan Cable station along Oxford Falls Rd. Nearby, Optus has its “SatData International Teleport” which provides its customers access to international satellites.

The council has been contacted for comment.