Priority bikeway crossing plans on New England Highway risk causing car crashes, residents say

Residents at Mount Kynoch are calling on the State Government to alter plans to the Highfields Bikeway Stage 2 project over serious safety concerns.

Geoff Adams is concerned about the safety of the New England Highway.

Residents of Mount Kynoch are concerned the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ plans for priority bike crossings along the New England Highway will increase the “risk of being rear-ended while trying to exit the highway to go to our homes”.

Writing to the department, Mount Kynoch resident Geoff Adams said plans for priority crossings included in the second stage of the Highfields Bikeway needed to change.

Mr Adams said it was of “special concern” as the priority crossings were to be located in a 90kmh zone of the highway with more than 20,000 vehicle movements a day, and the prospect of coming to a complete stop in one lane of the dual-lane road was a risk.

“Priority crossings should not be installed without adequate slip lanes provided that allow motorists to come to a stop out of the traffic stream on the New England Highway,” he said.

Responding to a letter from Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts about the bikeway upgrade, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Mailey said he understood the concerns of Mr Watts’ constituents.

The priority crossings are planned for Algar and Lawrence Roads.

“However, these crossings are intentionally designed to encourage motorists to slow down before turning into side streets to ensure the safety of bike riders who are using this bike path,” Mr Bailey wrote.

“I am advised the entire bikeway is visible from the (highway), allowing motorists to see bike riders approaching before they arrive at the side roads.”

Mr Bailey said motorists would be expected to move into the right hand lane when they see a car indicating or slowing to turn left, and that TMR had installed “advance warning signage to highlight upcoming intersections” and requested increased police presence while the community became familiar with the new infrastructure.

Mr Adams said the safety of motorists would be compromised by having to come to a halt at priority crossings where there was no such requirement previously.

“Simply stating that motorists can change lanes does not assuage the fear of local residents of the increased risk of being rear-ended while trying to exit the highway to go to our homes.”

Mr Adams said pressure on the local road network was set to increase beyond its capacity to cope if the 1000 lot Mount Kynoch Habitat development proceeded.

Community consultation on the second stage of the bikeway is open now but closes this month. Head to www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/