General News
22 January, 2024
Businesses claim Napier Street speed reduction is needed following intersection upgrades
Following the recent changes made to the “unsafe” Napier and Nolan streets intersection, businesses in the vicinity say more needs to be done as speed remains a concern. As of last week, motorists seeking to enter Napier Street from Nolan Street...
Following the recent changes made to the “unsafe” Napier and Nolan streets intersection, businesses in the vicinity say more needs to be done as speed remains a concern.
As of last week, motorists seeking to enter Napier Street from Nolan Street can only do so by turning left onto the Pyrenees Highway — with new line markings and signs at the intersection prohibiting vehicles from going straight or turning right.
Infamous for the amount of near-misses that occur almost daily, the intersection has also been the scene of numerous accidents caused in most cases due to drivers’ failing to stop as directed by appropriate signage on Nolan Street.
Incidents of this kind have become a regular sighting for shops and businesses adjoining the intersection.
Having recently taken over Metro Petroleum three months ago, owner Rajeshwar Salaria has already witnessed multiple dangerous instances in the short time he has been around — and he thinks safer mechanisms need to be put in place.
“It definitely requires something because it’s unsafe and I think just putting a turn left only sign is not enough,” Mr Salaria said.
“Even before, people weren’t stopping at the stop sign so I don’t know if it’ll deter anyone now. If there is a constant police presence then that might help but I don’t know how often they could just sit there.
“I think there needs to be something solid or physical that actually restricts people from going straight or turning right and that could be a roundabout or an extended median strip. If the sign is a first step then it’s a good start but it shouldn’t just stop there.”
On the other side, for Wattle Office Supplies co-owner Brian Patterson, the focus needs to be on speed reduction along the 60 kilometre per hour Napier Street.
“Even with people only turning left, it’s still a problem,” Mr Patterson said.
“The only solution is to slow down the cars that are going up and down on the main street because the traffic is too fast.
“We should reduce the speed to about 40km/h. The problem could have been fixed a long time ago by doing that.”
While also advocating for changes to the speed-limit, Earl Murphy of Murph’s Gym — the third business neighbouring the intersection — said the upgrades to the area were a positive step forward.
“I think it’ll be very effective and I think it’s really good,” he said.
“Perhaps we could’ve been given more notice about the changes because it happened all of a sudden so it might take some time for people to catch on to it. I also think it’d be good if there’s another warning sign installed before the actual stop sign, letting drivers know that they should be prepared to stop.
“There’s also the speed part of it because it is a section of the highway and that makes it more risky so if it was around 40 km/h, that would be better but overall I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
According to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, the improvements will significantly reduce the risk of collisions at the intersection.
“We’ve listened to community feedback and these changes will make Maryborough safer for motorists and pedestrians [using those streets],” Ms Haylett said.
“I understand any changes, particularly to traffic flow, can take some getting used to.
“I see this as a positive first step, and I’m keen to work with locals to address any further safety concerns they have at this intersection.”