A recent upgrade to a Stanwell Park footbridge has left some residents scratching their heads.
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Wollongong City Council recently completed a new ramp on the eastern side approach to a footbridge over Lawrence Hargrave Drive.
The ramp provides access for people in a wheelchair, the elderly, parents with prams or anyone else who has mobility concerns yet they can not get down about 30 stairs, which were upgraded a couple of years ago, on the western side.
Stanwell Park resident Elle Riston can't understand why the council would not upgrade both sides.
"How could someone possibly think a one-sided mobility ramp is a good idea?" she said. "Where do the people go once they walk up the ramp? Do they just need to turn back around?
"I cannot think of a project that wasted taxpayers' money more than this bridge access upgrade.
"There are many younger families who have moved into the suburb and there is a seniors living village on one side too. Parents with prams or elderly people can't use the footbridge and their only other option is to cross the busy road and there is no pedestrian crossing."
Ms Riston, who uses a pram for her child, is calling on the council to reconsider its plan and provide a ramp on the western side.
"It is not a bridge that is used for sightseeing," she said. "The bridge is used to access either side of the road.
"The road is not suitable to cross and without another ramp, there is a safety issue.
"The council has completed a lovely upgrade to the shops area but it is a kick in the face to residents and shop owners because some can't get up or down the stairs."
Jennifer Singleton, owner of Renzetti's Italian Pizza, said the lack of access would hurt her business as she feared parents or elderly people would bypass her shop.
"If people can't manage the stairs then they could miss my store or drive somewhere else," she said. "There has been some poor planning."
Wollongong councillor Leigh Colacino said the previous term of council had considered upgrading the western side of the bridge with a ramp.
"Logistically, a ramp did not make practical sense," he said. "The gradient required to make the ramp compliant would have made it too long because of the physical topography of the area."
"The ramp and stairs seemed like the best result for the particular site. I would have loved to see a ramp on both sides but it was just not practical."
Cr Colacino said the upgrade to the bridge access was of "high standard" and formed part of the refurbishment of the shopping precinct and provided easy access for Grand Pacific Walk tourists coming on the train.
