Lakeside Drive speed limit increase creates safety concerns for local residents

The decision to boost the speed limit for a busy road was welcomed by many, but a safety concern has been flagged by residents.

SAFETY concerns have been expressed by some of Idalia’s residents following the decision to raise the speed limit on Lakeside Drive.

In response to “many public requests”, the Department of Transport and Main Roads confirmed they altered the speed limit on a section of Lakeside Drive from 60km/h to 70km/h on Saturday.

The new speed limit zone begins just north of the bridge at the Fairfield Central Shopping Centre and ends between River Boulevard and Imagine Childcare.

Some Idalia residents have raised safety concerns after the speed limit was lifted on Lakeside Drive. Picture: Leighton Smith

While the decision was welcomed by many locals, others have expressed concern about its implications when motorists were forced to jam on the brakes to avoid killing animals at a well-known wildlife crossing.

Signage was erected by Townsville City Council warning of the potential hazard.

A Transport and Main Roads (TMR) spokesman said their decision came after a speed limit review considering road function and environment, traffic volumes, prevailing traffic speeds, roadside development and activities, road characteristics and crash history.

Magpie geese, goslings and other wildlife sometimes cross Lakeside Drive, creating a safety hazard for motorists. Picture: Supplied.

The review was submitted to the local Speed Management Committee, comprising representatives from the Queensland Police Service, Townsville City Council and TMR, which endorsed an increase.

“Following the review, we undertook a road safety audit which recommended several street light fittings and sign posts be upgraded before increasing the speed to 70km/h,” the spokesman said.

“These works were completed earlier this year.”

He said speed limits were set in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the road was appropriately designed to a 70km/h standard.

Two e-scooter wipe-outs plus a multi-car crash in CBD

A nose-to-tail multi-vehicle crash and two bingles involving teens riding e-scooters has kept emergency services busy around the Townsville CBD on Saturday night.

A lane of the George Roberts Bridge on Denham St was blocked after a three vehicle nose-to-tail crash at 6.51pm.

Two people were taken to Townsville University Hospital, both in a stable condition with unknown injuries.

Townsville Police issued an infringement notice to one of the motorists for following too closely – with a fine of $321 and deduction of one demerit point.

Since their introduction, electric scooters have been involved in a number of crashes around Townsville’s CBD. FILE PHOTO. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Queensland Ambulance paramedics were called to assist a woman in her late teens who fell off her e-scooter at Kingsway Place at 11.03pm.

She sustained leg injuries.

Paramedics took her to the Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.

Shortly after, a male scooter rider in his late teens crashed his e-scooter on Cook St, North Ward at 11.54pm.

He suffered head injuries and was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.

On Sunday, Queensland Ambulance attended a buggy crash at a private property at Cape Cleveland at 9.51am.

They transported a patient to Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.

Originally published as Lakeside Drive speed limit increase creates safety concerns for local residents