A RETIRED traffic court magistrate has called a lack of signage on McMillan Road in Alexandra Hills illogical and unfair after receiving two speeding fines in two hours on the same stretch of road.
Wellington Point resident Malachy Purcell said he had received the fines on McMillan Road for travelling 62km/h in a 50km/h zone.
Mr Purcell said the stretch of McMillan Road between McDonald and Allenby Roads had no speed limit signs.
He said he had paid both fines and did not dispute them, but thought it was unfair of the Transport Department to think motorists would assume a limit of 50km/h on the road.
"Both the adjacent McDonald and Allenby roads in the same suburb have 60km/h speed limits," Mr Purcell said.
"The adjacent roads with higher speed limits have residences on both sides (but McMillan Road) only has residences on one side of the road and a nature reserve on the other.
"It is easy to see why motorists may believe that the prevailing speed limit was 60km/h.
"The fact that there are a number of different speed limits signposted on local roads yet the most important one is not signposted is illogical and unfair."
Mr Purcell called for the speed limit should be raised or signs to be installed.
Cr Tracey Huges said she had raised concerns with council officers about the stretch of road, but had been told changes would not meet the necessary state and council regulation.
"I have long been asking council officers to re-install the two (50 km/h) signs on this road in response to numerous concerns raised by residents," she said.
"The community are asking for signs to be re-installed to eliminate the confusion about this stretch of road and equally local residents are distressed about the ongoing speeding. "
A council spokesperson said speed limits and signage regulation were set according to the Transport Department's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and installation of 50km/h street signs on McMillan road would not be in accordance with the manual.
The spokesperson said any changes to speed limits had to be approved by a Speed Management Committee in accordance with State and National Standards and best practice outlined by the MUTCD.
"To determine the speed for a given road or street, the Speed Management Committee takes into consideration road geometry, safety, mobility and alignment, road function, current speeds and volumes, speed environment and accident history," the spokesperson said.
Mr Purcell said while he understood the regulations and processes around speed limits and signage, the lack of signage around McMillan Road was misleading.
"The words entrapment and covert revenue generation come to mind," he said.
