Blocked: the many obstacles in the way of Melbourne pedestrians

FINDING it hard to walk around Melbourne’s CBD? More people are already crowding our footpaths and now rubbish, construction vehicles and delivery scooters are also clogging up the pavement. But frustrated pedestrians are fighting back.

RUBBISH, construction vehicles and delivery scooters are increasingly clogging up footpaths, obstruc­ting for pedestrians in Melbourne’s CBD.

Complaints about obstructions on footpaths are soaring as frustrated pedestrians weave their way to work or home.

The city’s population and economic boom means more people are walking than ever before, competing for limited pavement space.

RUBBISH COMPLAINTS OVERFLOW

FIRST PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN CLOCK FOR CBD

Pedestrians squeezed on a crowded footpath in central Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

But walking progress on some footpaths is slowed by badly parked cars and motorcycles, delivery trucks and bins.

Information from reporting app Snap Send Solve showed pedestrians were photographing incidents and seeking act­ion, the company’s chief exe­cutive Danny Gorog said.

“The growth in the number of reports in the City of Melb­ourne shows there is growing frustration with just walking down the pavement,” he said.

A blocked footpath in central Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

I guess it’s ok to block an entire footpath and pedestrian crossing if your hazard lights are on yeah? 😡
Taken on Little Lonsdale, Melbourne Central@cityofmelbourne @VictoriaPolice @SallyCapp_ @danielbowen @melbcentral pic.twitter.com/rWw6hxxIqC

— Nic (@nicolotomus) June 12, 2018

Photos included one sign mounted on a trailer alerting motorists to speed cameras near Flagstaff Gardens took up so much space, a wheelchair would not be able to pass.

One Snap Send Solve user complained about works vehicles on a pavement on Collins St, Docklands.

“Given there are vastly more pedestrians than vehicles using this road and footpath, it is surprising this company has been granted approval to completely block the footpath,” the user said.

A food delivery scooter on Bourke St, Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

A sign blocking the footpath on Berkeley St, Carlton. Picture: Snap Send Solve

A motorcycle makes access difficult in Geographe St, Docklands. Picture: Snap Send Solve

More than 3000 people an hour use the city’s evening peak pressure points, near railway stations including Swanston St near Melbourne Cent­ral, the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Sts and the intersection of Spencer and Collins Sts.

The CBD’s first pedestrian crossing countdown clock was installed opposite Southern Cross station last week.

Some street work does not need a permit, such as when utility companies undertake emergency or essential repairs.

A woman and her child are forced on to the road in Lt Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Bins clog the footpath at Nicholson Place, Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

A blocked footpath on King St, Melbourne. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Woo! @cityofmelbourne has installed a mysterious new footpath obstruction. pic.twitter.com/ECJ1ygV75u

— Jesse McNelis (@jessemcnelis) July 19, 2018

A City of Melbourne spokesman said contractors working without a permit could disrupt the way people move around the city and also create hazards.

“The City of Melbourne’s Authorised Officers respond to calls and complaints and can issue penalty notices to contractors for undertaking works without a permit,’’ the spokesman said.

“Parking and traffic officers can also issue parking infringements to any vehicles illegally parked, especially in bike lanes and along critical traffic and pedestrian routes.’’

Operators of construction sites that illegally “expand’’ their approved construction zones risk having their permit cancelled or suspended, he said.

[e-mail]

@IanRoyall