Death trap

HAZARDOUS: Rosenthal Heights resident Tracy Curtis says Main Roads is "neglectful" and "downright dangerous" to thumb its nose at her repeated requests for road signage where Ford Road meets the New England Highway.

By ALENA HIGGINS

YOU could be forgiven for thinking this photo depicts a driveway, but it’s a road used by many and one that enters smack bang onto the New England Highway.
There’s just one thing missing from the T intersection on Ford Road at Rosenthal Heights: crucial signage to alert drivers to slow down.
Ford Road resident Tracy Curtis says the junction is a death trap waiting to happen and has spent the last nine months pleading with Main Roads and Southern Downs Regional Council to take action.
The mother-of-three said in the absence of a ‘give way’ sign or long black-and-white horizontal sign indicating the end of the road, it was “just good luck” no driver had continued unaware onto the highway and been t-boned by a truck.
She described Main Roads’ response as “narrow minded” and “pathetic”.
“Main Roads told us that ‘as only locals use this road and they should know where the road ends, signage was not necessary’,” she said.
“Our children and friends come up from Brisbane and their lives are at risk every time they use this intersection.”
“If it is on the road map, it should be safe.”
To make matters worse, both state and local government departments have been passing the buck.
When the Free Times approached Main Roads for comment earlier this week, it initially issued a statement saying “signage inquiries on local roads should be directed to council”.
However, SDRC refuted the claim, saying Main Roads has a “responsibility apron” either side of a major highway, making signage its jurisdiction.
When the Free Times approached Main Roads a second time with council’s comments, it amended its statement saying “it would conduct an inspection at the intersection to determine the need of any signage”.
Ms Curtis said inadequate signage alerting motorists to the condition of the dirt road was also dangerous for caravaners or visitors, who often use the road as a short cut.
“We have recently had two road trains travel this road, due to a bad accident on the passing lanes before Rangers Road, their GPS sent them this way, fully loaded with beasts, only to get completely stuck for four hours in the sun and heat,” she said.
“How simple would it have been to have a sign at the start of our road to indicate ‘no trucks’ or ‘4x4s only’?”
Council workers regraded the bottom entrance of Ford Road two or three weeks ago after Ms Curtis requested the long-neglected road be maintained to the same standard as the Washpool Road end.