Pave the way for Palmwoods: Speed limit decrease raises angst with drivers ignoring change

Palmwoods residents are begging for police presence as drivers continue to ignore speed limits despite a recent reduction in the main street.

Palmwoods residents are begging for police to hit the streets in a bid to slow down motorists seemingly ignoring a newly decreased speed limit in the town.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads lowered the speed limit on Margaret Street in June to 40km/h on a 500m section of road, from east of the Chevallum Road intersection to west of the post office.

It comes after the Sunshine Coast Daily launched the Pave the way for Palmwoods community campaign in early-April.

The campaign gave residents and businesses a chance to have their say on upgrades to several key intersections and speed mitigation through the main street.

Sunshine Coast Daily's Pave the way for Palmwoods campaign was launched in early April.

And while the speed limit decrease was warmly received by most there are concerns drivers are still not doing the right thing.

Mother of two Jocelyn Anderson says “not a lot of people are following the signs”.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone will follow unless there is some police presence and they get a fine or two,” she said.

“Trucks fly around the corner out front of the shops … it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.

“Apparently there is a grace period with speed reduction, so hopefully they are waiting for that before they enforce it.”

Fellow Palmwoods mother and pharmacy worker Katrina Maru agreed.

“It has slowed some people down but a police presence to ensure compliance would be good,” she said.

“Some trucks have slowed down, some haven’t.”

A recently social media poll conducted received more than 80 responses from the community with mixed views on whether the reduction had made any difference to the traffic woes.

Joanne Hersey, who owns Bobby Pins Hair on Margaret Street, said she was sorry to say … it doesn’t seem to have slowed many down.

Trent Rennex wrote it (the speed limit) didn’t change a thing.

“The town is to (sic) big for that road, they need another entrance the goes over the train lines that bypasses the town,” he wrote.

Palmwoods intersection at Chevallum Road and Woombye Palmwoods Road heading into Margaret Street prior to the speed limit lowering. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Tina Day wrote she loved the change.

“Slowed down drivers enough to actually turn out of Main Street into Margaret Street,” she wrote.

“And more time and the rail bridge intersection too. So much better.”

Several residents suggested not only a police presence but flashing speed signs and a pedestrian crossing could mitigate the issue.

On July 5, a Transport Department spokeswoman said the government would prepare designs for pedestrian crossing improvements in Palmwoods.

“We are working to prepare concept designs and estimated costs for pedestrian crossing improvements within the Palmwoods town centre in line with Sunshine Coast Council’s endorsed Place Making Palmwoods master plan,” the spokeswoman said.

“Community consultation will be undertaken in coming months to seek feedback on these improvements.”

As for when the designs will be presented to the community remains a mystery.

Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton has been contacted for comment.