MP leads fight for lights

A DANGEROUS intersection in front of Beerwah State School has led Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle to rally the local community into action.

A petition urging authorities to install traffic signals at the intersection was launched this week.

Concerned locals recently met with Mr McArdle at the intersection of Old Gympie Rd and Peachester Rd to discuss the road's safety, and organise the petition urging authorities to act.

"Something needs to be done about this intersection before someone is seriously hurt," Mr McArdle said.

He said the intersection was on an extremely busy stretch of road, making it unsafe for students to cross to get to school.

"There is no school crossing or traffic signals out the front of Beerwah State School, therefore it is notoriously dangerous for children to walk or ride to and from school, and locals are worried that a child will be seriously injured," he said.

"This intersection needs to be urgently reviewed and upgraded with traffic signals and also ensuring it can safely cater for the heavy flow of traffic.

"Only then can parents safely cross the road to access the school and the risk of serious injury will significantly drop."

Local resident Lisa McConnell has agreed to be the principal petitioner.

Ms McConnell has three children who attend the school and walk home daily.

"Traffic that goes through there in the afternoon rarely stops for the children … they have to play chicken with the cars," Ms McConnell said.

"A set of lights should be mandatory for this intersection."

Mr McArdle is urging as many people as possible to sign the e-petition online at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/ work-of-assembly/petitions/ e-petitions. A hard copy is available at his office at 1/118 Bulcock St, Caloundra.

Any local businesses or groups wishing to distribute copies of the hard copy petition can contact Mr McArdle's office.

The petition closes on October 29. It will then be lodged in Parliament and Transport Minister Scott Emerson asked to respond.

Mr McArdle recently helped the community rally over the notorious Steve Irwin Way, Hardwood Rd and Railway St intersection at Landsborough.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads announced it would fast-track the installation of traffic lights by two years.