Wyndham council will compile a report assessing options to ease traffic congestion in Werribee caused by redirected traffic when Cottrell Street Ford is closed due to flooding.
Councillor Heather Marcus raised a notice of motion at a council meeting on October 25, stating that an alternative was required to ensure the city did not need to “grind to a halt” every time there is a flooding event.
“Temporary closure of this important Werribee River crossing essentially cuts access to the west of the city and causes traffic congestion throughout the city with many residents reporting it is impossible to access home and work during these times,” Cr Marcus said.
“The Ford has already been closed several times this year and it is important that we plan for future events to minimise the impact for motorists.
“Residents have told me they have had enough, they’re also advising the only option is to build a third bridge across the river. ”
The report will cover the transport planning, budgetary, hydrological, flood mitigation and engineering implications and include necessary input from Melbourne Water and the Department of Transport.
As reported by Star Weekly, residents have called on =council to invest in a safer solution, deeming the ford a “disaster waiting to happen”.
All councillors voted in favour of the motion, except Mia Shaw, who said she believes an alternative will put an “undue strain on council resources”.
“Any report that is prepared via this notice of motion is likely to show that a new bridge or crossing solution would be unaffordable, and not in line with the traffic volume and the amount of flood events,” Cr Shaw said.
“It’s hard to understand the worth of this work.”
The report will be received by council in March 2023.
