Toowoomba residents outraged over Ruthven St speed drop

Views over a new speed limit on a main road in Toowoomba have been aired on social media, with residents calling the speed drop “madness”. Vote in our poll.

A new speed limit along a main road in Toowoomba has caused outrage in motorists, as they struggle to understand a 10km/h drop along a four-lane stretch of Ruthven St.

New speed limit signs appeared overnight this week cautioning motorists to slow down to 50km/h for the 1.1km stretch between Long and Alderley Streets on Ruthven St.

Commuters caught unaware of the change took to social media to express disbelief and astonishment, which is understood to be part of a $13.2 million safety upgrade to Ruthven St.

The upgrade includes the new traffic lights on Donohue St at the turn-off to Willow Glen opposite the netball fields, which has been a long campaign for the residents, this stretch of Ruthven St, however, currently remains at 60km/h.

The speed limit has been reduced to 50 km/h on Ruthven St between Long and Alderley Sts, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“So who is (sic) the bright sparks that changed the speed to 50km on Ruthven St,” a profile called Bearded Gardener posted to a Facebook group on Tuesday.

More than 160 people responded to the post, expressing outrage, frustration, and accusing the government of “revenue raising”.

“Without being accused of inciting rebellion seriously it’s time we refuse to pay the speed fines that will be incurred otherwise where will this madness end and why should it?” Merrilyn Middleton commented.

“If its working and raising revenue unopposed they will do more of it until we do revolt.”

Sharon Waite wrote her concerns over West and Hume St taking on more traffic and said it was an “absolutely stupid idea”.

The speed limit has been reduced to 50 km/h on Ruthven St between Long and Alderley Sts, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The speed limit on Ruthven St driving south through the CBD is 40km/h until Herries St where it picks up to 50km/h for a mere 450m before switching to 60km/h at James St for 650m then back to 50km/h at Long St for the 1.2km drive to Alderley St.

“You can almost walk quicker to town now rather than driving!” Andrew Frizzell wrote.

Michael Healy wrote that it only took a “whole minute longer to travel that distance” at 50km/h rather than 60km/h.

“People acting like travelling slightly slower is some major inconvenience or injustice,” he commented.

The detailed design of the $13.2 million upgrade fully funded by the Qld government was completed in September 2022 and construction was scheduled to be complete by March 2024.

The upgrades also include new turning lanes and traffic lights, upgraded traffic signals, changed linemarking to reduce right turn movements and restrict on-street parking, speed limit reduction, new raised pedestrian crossings, new bike lane, additional warning signs and removal of roadside hazards.

The Department of Main Roads and Transport has been contacted for comment.