Flooded Aitken Creek bridge in Craigieburn leaves mobility scooter users stranded

A PERMANENTLY flooded pedestrian access way in Craigieburn has become a bridge to nowhere for two men living nearby who use mobility scooters.

Russell Poulton (left) and Laurence Hubbard can’t get their scooters across this flooded Craigieburn bridge. Picture: Kylie Else

A PERMANENTLY flooded pedestrian access way in Craigieburn has become a bridge to nowhere for two nearby residents who use mobility scooters.

The Aitken Creek bridge at Linear Reserve, between Axminster and Clovelly Drives, has been clogged by sludge and branches since heavy storms three months ago.

Russell Poulton said this meant neither he nor his friend, Lawrence Hubbard, could cross the bridge in their scooters.

Last month, Mr Hubbard’s scooter became stuck in the muck on the bridge.

A branch hidden by the water hit the scooter’s axle, which bent and caused the motor to flood.

Mr Poulton said he had phoned Hume Council four times about the bridge, but had never heard back.

“It really frustrates and upsets me,” he said.

The men use the bridge about three to four times a week to go shopping and to lawn bowls.

Although there is another bridge nearby, they cannot use it because the paths on each side are too steep for scooters.

The flooded walkway is causing havoc for two men who use mobility scooters. Picture: Kylie Else

Mr Hubbard said travelling a third, alternative way added about 20 minutes to the trip, which could wear out a scooter’s battery.

He wants the council to raise the bridge, install better sewerage and clear the dense reeds on either side.

After being contacted by Hume Leader, the council’s sustainable infrastructure and services director Peter Waite said they would work with Melbourne Water to see if it was “feasible” to replace the crossing with a pedestrian bridge.

Mr Waite said because Melbourne Water managed the Aitken Creek corridor, the council had asked the authority to investigate if clearing reeds near the crossing would reduce flooding.

He said signs at the crossing warned people not to traverse the waterway when it was flooded.

Melbourne Water’s acting manager of regional services (west) Jesse Barrett said the authority conducted regular weed control and litter removal along Aitken Creek.

“Melbourne Water would welcome the opportunity to review any proposed changes or upgrades to the pedestrian bridge, providing applications sufficiently consider impacts on drainage, flooding, water quality and waterway health,” he said.