Death trap: Department hits back at ‘bandaid fix’ claims

The Department of Transport and Main Roads have hit back at claims made by residents that a Maleny intersection is long overdue upgrades.

Emergency services at the scene of a two car accident on Landsborough Maleny Road in 2014. Photo Nicola Brander / Sunshine Coast Daily

UPDATE: THE Department of Transport and Main Roads have hit back at claims made by residents that a Maleny intersection is long overdue for upgrades, saying it's not supported by crash data.

Residents and Glass House MP Andrew Powell say Landsborough-Maleny Rd and Mountain View Rd intersection is a "death trap" and that more upgrades were needed.

A department spokesperson said Queensland Police Service data shows there have been no injury-related crashes recorded at this intersection in the past five years, contrary to the claims.

"Works will be undertaken to upgrade linemarking and install advanced warning signs at the Landsborough-Maleny and Mountain View Rd intersection next month," a department spokesperson said.

"These works will increase awareness of the intersection when travelling eastbound on Landsborough-Maleny Rd and the potential need to slow down due to turning vehicles.

"Signs on the approach and the intersection will be changed to better define the intersection and give eastbound motorists improved warning of the potential need to slow down."

The new signs are expected to be installed by the end of January, weather permitting.

"Linemarking on the eastbound lane will be changed to clarify the shoulder is a wide sealed shoulder for through traffic to slow and pass with caution if a motorist is propped to turn right, not a passing lane. 

"Further linemarking improvements have been identified since our initial investigation, which will provide better delineation of the intersection.

"The linemarking upgrade is expected to be undertaken by the end of March, weather permitting."

The department will continue to monitor this intersection as part of routine operations.

 

EARLIER: FEARFUL residents say a prominent hinterland intersection is a death trap in waiting and have called for further upgrades.

While the Department of Transport and Main Roads has pledged to upgrade Landsborough-Maleny Rd and Mountain View Rd, both in Maleny, the residents say it's not enough.

The residents' claims are supported by Glass House MP Andrew Powell, who said the intersection had been the scene of many car crashes over the years.

Local business owner, Tony Gill of Art on Cairncross, is furious that the intersection has not been upgraded sooner and is afraid that the proposed solutions are a "mere bandaid fix".

"Currently, there is a thin gravel shoulder eastbound on Landsborough-Maleny Rd where motorists can overtake drivers waiting to turn right onto Mountain View Rd," Mr Gill said.

"This shoulder is full of loose gravel and is next to a steep drop-off down the mountain.

"If drivers slip off the shoulder, I have real fears that a fatality could occur."

Mr Gill said there had been too many times when he'd been forced to direct traffic following crashes.

 

Andrew Powell speaks on Queensland Productivity Commission draft report into energy prices.Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily

 

"In one instance having to do so for more than an hour. I don't want to have to keep doing that," he said.

"I want locals and tourists alike to travel safely in the range and particularly through this intersection so I'm pleading with TMR to do more."

Mr Powell said the crashes were on the increase as Maleny became an even more popular tourist destination.

"TMR have informed me that line marking on the eastbound side of Landsborough-Maleny Rd will be changed to make it clearer that traffic must slow down and cautiously pass motorists waiting to turn right," Mr Powell said.

"Also, signage on the approach and at the intersection will also be improved to give better warning the intersection is approaching."

The existing advance Mountain View Rd sign is within a larger sign that includes competing information for Landsborough, Blackall Range Tourist Drive and Mary Cairncross Park.

It will be replaced with a simplified sign that places greater emphasis on the direction to Mountain View Rd.

The Daily has approached the Department of Transport and Main Roads for a response. 

Originally published as