Petition calls for speed-limit change at Junction Bridge
Shire roads
A Douglas Shire driving instructor has started a petition calling on the about 550m stretch of road near the Junction Bridge between Cooya and Mossman to be changed to a 60km/h zone.
The speed limit for the road, which is under the jurisdiction of Douglas Shire Council, is currently 40km/h - a remnant of the sugar-cane-train days when the locomotive crossed the bridge. The tracks, however, have now been filled in but the speed limit remains.
Mr Lee has received more than 330 signatures on the petition, entitled “Change speed limit on Junction Road and Bonnie Doon Road between Mossman and Cooya Beach”, since launching it at the start of this month.
“40’s unreasonable,” Mr Lee told Newsport this week.
“It’s just revenue raising.”
Several Douglas Shire locals have taken to social media recently concerned that police have been setting up speed cameras along that stretch of road.
Mr Lee said, as a driving instructor, he has been abused by other drivers for sticking to the speed limit there.
“They overtake at speed over double lines, sounding horn with hand gestures,” he said.
“What do you say to the students?”
The petition states that “since the Mill closure, local motorists traveling between Mossman and Cooya Beach on Junction Road and Bonny Doon Road have faced unnecessary frustration and fines due to an outdated speed limit of 40kph.
“This limit was initially put in place with the consideration of train operations in the area.
“However, there are currently no trains operational, making this speed limit not only outdated but excessively restrictive for the conditions of the road.”
Mr Lee said he had approached Douglas Shire Council about changing the speed limit to 60km/h through the bridge.
“The everyday reality for many drivers is one of impatience and at times exceeding the speed limit, resulting in bookings for speeding,” the petition reads.
“It is especially hard for those who use this route frequently for their daily commutes and the frustration often causes motorists to pass vehicles travelling the low speed limit over double lines with poor visibility of oncoming vehicles.
“It's important to emphasise that this change will not compromise safety.
“The conditions of the road and the absence of train operations support a higher speed limit.
“Should the trains resume operations in the future, adjustments to the speed limit can always be reconsidered."
View the Change.org petition HERE.