The installation of new traffic lights at the intersection of Ruthven and Donahue Streets has thrilled Willow Glen Retirement Community residents -  some of whom had been campaigning for this improvement for almost 20 years.

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP has been working with the residents’ committee since January 2018 to address the significant safety concerns which marred the intersection.

Together, they created a petition which was signed by more than 1,200 people who demanded the state government address the dangerous intersection.

Then committee member Barry Kranz said many residents had been left shaken by multiple near-misses. His neighbour’s car had been written off in a T-bone accident at the intersection.

Mr Janetzki said the community also feared for the safety of children playing sport at Nell E Robinson Park who would often run across four lanes of traffic to reach McDonalds.

“It was a three-year long campaign to get the government to agree to traffic lights – plus another three years of planning and construction – but together we have made this intersection safer for motorists and pedestrians,” Mr Janetzki said.

“The lights will benefit not only residents, staff and visitors to Willow Glen Retirement Community but also parents of children who attend the childcare centre next door, and patrons of McDonalds, Red Rooster, and other surrounding businesses in the Willow Glen shopping complex,” he said.

Mr Kranz and his wife Barbara have lived at Willow Glen for 23 years. He and then-president Elizabeth Grace worked hard to obtain the 1245 signatures which was presented to the government in mid-2018.

“The traffic lights are a godsend for us as far as safety is concerned,” Mr Kranz said.

“Drivers can now easily turn onto Ruthven Street without the risk of colliding with oncoming traffic or pedestrians,” he said.

Mr Janetzki wrote letters to all three levels of government, repeatedly lobbied the transport minister, cited the issue in speeches to parliament, presented their petition, and involved media in the successful campaign.

The installation of the traffic lights is unrelated to the lowering of the speed limit on Ruthven Street, between Long and Alderley Streets, to 50kmhr.

Mr Janetzki has questioned the transport minister about the speed reduction. The department stated the speed reduction was in response to the 19 crashes that have occurred on Ruthven Street, between Long and Alderley Streets, in the past five years.