Les Hadlow and other concerned residents protest at Woombye to get lights put in at the Woombye turn-off on Nambour Connection Road following the horrible fatal accident which took four lives.

Mark Furler

ARMED with a walking stick, Les Hadlow reckons he is within striking distance of the main roads minister in Woombye's campaign to have a safer town.

The Woombye Business and Community Association leader, who underwent major surgery last month, rejoined residents in their 10th weekly walk demanding the installation of traffic lights and a permanent 60kmh speed limit on the Nambour Connection Road outside the town.

Despite a bitterly cold morning of about six degrees, more than 40 residents took to the street armed with signs and a unified voice calling for drivers to slow down and for the government to take action to end the carnage.

Among them was Nambour's Garry Franks, a 66-year-old who knows the life-long trauma of road crashes.

Mr Franks was 19 when the car his dad was driving was hit by a semi-trailer at the level crossing at Landsborough. A young Mr Franks had been asleep after being just discharged from hospital.

The force of the impact rammed the engine block into his stomach.

Mr Franks said the fact that he was alive was enough for him to join the protest to stop further deaths on our roads.

He said drivers had to slow down and turn their lights on coming down the hill, and authorities had to create a safer intersection.

“It's no longer the Bruce Highway through here,” Mr Franks said. “It's an arterial road and it should be treated as such.”

Mr Hadlow said yesterday's walk showed residents' tremendous resolve. “The whole thing is just not going to die,” the real estate agent said.

“I offered residents the opportunity to let it go so we could wait and see the results from the government. They emphatically said no.”

Mr Hadlow, who underwent a seven-hour heart operation in June, managed the entire walk.

He said the operation had been an amazing success, with doctors pleased with his progress.

“I'm pleased to have got out of the hospital,” Mr Hadlow, who was only given a 60% chance of success, said. “It's great to be back out here. The feeling of camaraderie in the town is just marvellous.”

He has to use a walking stick because he is no longer able to take medication for a knee problem. “It brings the minister a metre closer to me so I'll utilise every avenue to get a good result.”