SPEED limits will be reduced to 40kmh in Ipswich Central in a bid to improve safety.

Transport and Main Roads will reduce speed limits from 60kmh to 40kmh along the Ipswich-Cunningham Highway Connection Road (Brisbane Street, Limestone Street and East Street) and Ipswich-Warrego Highway Connection Road (East Street).

At the same time, Ipswich City Council will also lower the speed limits from 60kmh and 50kmh to 40kmh on key council-controlled streets within the city centre.

Speed limits at East Street, from Churchill Street to the Olga Street and Mansfield Place intersection and on Limestone Street and Brisbane Street between East Street and Gordon Street will be reduced from 50kmh to 40kmh.

The speed reduction was endorsed by the local Speed Management Committee which includes representatives from Queensland Police Service, ICC and TMR.

TMR Metropolitan Region Acting Regional Director Paul Stenhouse said the department was working closely with the council on the collective project to reduce speed limits due to the high level of pedestrian activity in the Ipswich city centre.

TMR will also reduce speed limits from 70kmh to 60kmh on Warwick Road, between Pisasale Drive and the Cunningham Highway in Yamanto.

That reduction follows a Speed Limit Review conducted in May last year for Ipswich–Cunningham Connection Road for the 14.9 km section between River Road and Cunningham Highway, Dinmore to Yamanto.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Sonia Cooper said lowering speed limits on key streets in the city centre was a move to improve safety.

“Ipswich’s city centre has grown steadily in recent years, with more people enjoying our cafes, restaurants, boutique shops and attractions,” she said.

“The reduction is in line with the State’s commitment to support local governments delivering on safety and accessibility for vulnerable road users, which aligns with council’s plans and strategies such as the iGO City of Ipswich Transport Plan, our Active Transport Action Plan, and our Road Safety Action Plan.”