A Werribee resident has dubbed the Cottrell Street Ford a “disaster just waiting to happen” and is calling on Wyndham council to invest in a solution.
The area of road consists of a low bridge over the Werribee River which is subject to extreme flooding in wet weather conditions.
Jessica Lowery said she’s lived in Werribee for almost 40 years and remembers the road flooding even as a kid.
“It’s been happening for as long as I can remember, and it’s going to keep happening,” she said.
“In the last couple of months it’s had to be closed twice for flooding, which then impacts on traffic flow so it diverts all the traffic down Watton Street, which is already very busy.
“It just seems recently it’s happening more and more often … and as climate change gets worse, it’s potentially going to get worse.
“It’s definitely time they invest in some works … I think ultimately it’s time they invest in a bridge.”
Despite signage warning residents when the area is flooded, Ms Lowery said a main safety concern is the area isn’t policed.
“It only takes a group of teenagers to think ‘we can cross this’ or take an unnecessary risk and it would absolutely end in tragedy,” she said.
A Wyndham council spokesperson said council has no current plans to increase the height of the bridge at Cottrell Street ford.
“During flood events, or potential flood events, Wyndham City receives adequate advanced warning to close the flood gates and redirect traffic,” the spokesperson said.
“We are always looking at ways to improve our communication with residents to keep them informed as to when the ford will close due to flooding and relevant traffic detour arrangements.”
