By Mikayla van Loon
Elderly residents of Hull Road Mooroolbark have raised concerns about the dangers of their local footpaths with dips, rises and uneven ground causing issues with mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
Longtime resident of 60 years Lesley Emerson was restricted to using a mobility scooter in the middle of last year after a stroke prevented her from being able to drive.
Now Ms Emerson uses the footpaths between Mark Street and Brice Avenue to get to and from the main shopping strip to buy her groceries.
To the naked eye the drop in the footpath crossfall would not seem like much but just driving over the end of the footpath to reach the other side of road shakes, rattles and tilts Ms Emerson’s scooter dramatically.
Yarra Ranges Council’s environment and infrastructure director Mark Varmalis confirmed sections of the footpath along Hull Road had been repaired but Ms Emerson said in some spots it has in fact been made more challenging for people.
“On Brice Avenue, where they’ve covered over holes, what they’ve done is they’ve put the tar in a mound, creating a hill in the path, which is not good for people, for anybody,” Ms Emerson said.
“And it’s not just me because the people that live here, it’s all old people. I’ve been here 60 years and next door, they’ve been here 58 years and [the lady on the other side] is about the same and she’s in her 80s.”
For Beryl Allder the issue has been around since her husband Bob was placed in a wheelchair about 10 years ago.
As Mr Allder’s mobility has reduced, as well as her own, Ms Allder said it restricts their ability to get outside and go for walks together.
“Unless you’re really watching and keeping an eye on the footpath all the time, you’re going to trip. So that’s why Bob and I don’t go up there often,” Ms Allder said.
“If we do walk, I push him up to maybe the corner of Mark Street but we don’t go down where the gutter is because he’ll just flip.”
Both Ms Emerson and Mr Allder have had incidents where they have been flipped out of their scooter and wheelchair respectively.
“Down at Mark Street, I was driving along and somehow tipped and all my shopping went everywhere,” Ms Emerson said.
“Now I’m careful, you only need it done once to frighten you.”
Ms Emerson said she has worked out how to manoeuvre the footpaths so that her mobility scooter doesn’t tip again but that it shouldn’t be left up to chance.
“It’s scary when you’re older. I can’t afford to fall because if I ever have to go to hospital, I don’t know what’s going to happen to Bob. So we really need to be very, very careful when we’re walking across a footpath,” Ms Allder said.
Not only do Ms Emerson and Ms Allder have concerns for their fellow neighbours in their 70s, 80s and 90s but for parents with prams and young children on bikes.
Mr Varmalis said the council would be sending someone out to inspect the length of footpath between Croydondale Drive and Brice Avenue to assess for defects and damage.
“The accessibility of our communities is one of our highest priorities at Council. Having well-made and safe roads and footpaths are crucial for so many in their day-to-day lives, and we understand the frustration when paths are damaged or become difficult to use,” he said.
“We are aware there are some sections where the footpath has been damaged or removed due to properties that are being developed. We will work closely with the builders to remind them of their obligations and to ensure they keep the public access areas safe.”
Mr Varmalis encouraged residents who have noticed a fault or defect on their path to contact the council by calling 1300 368 333, emailing mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or visiting the Report an Issue section of the website at yarraranges.vic.gov.au
