Streets are shared spaces in Newcastle

Newcastle’s identity as a cycling friendly city continues to evolve with construction scheduled to commence mid-year on a cycling path along Hunter Street in the city’s west end.

The construction is in addition to the new cycleway bypass at Queens Wharf which was also funded by NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces initiative.

The Hunter Street West End Cycleway received $525,000 and will trial a range of features between National Park Street and Worth Place, including two single direction cycleways which will be considered as an option in the City Centre Revitalisation West End Stage Two development.

The Hunter Street West End Cycleway follows the successful completion of the Queens Wharf Cycleway Bypass last month, which received $100,000 in funding from the program and provides cyclists with a safe 3m wide shared pathway one block behind the high-traffic main street to provide safe access through the area.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said funding support for projects like these allows cycling to play an important role within Newcastle’s transport mix.

“Cycling is a genuine transport option for families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is essential and why it stands as one of the City’s priority projects.

“The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has allowed us to trial a solution that makes it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get around the Queens Wharf precinct and the Hunter Street cycleway trial will provide connections to several key north and south links, which will enhance Newcastle’s inner-city cycleway network.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said he was glad to see new cycleway infrastructure in Newcastle.

“Active transport is something I am passionate about and it’s wonderful to see City of Newcastle using our Streets as Shared Spaces funding to create these types of public spaces,” Mr Stokes said.

“The $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program was designed to enable the creation of safe and enjoyable public spaces in the wake of the pandemic and will make a positive difference to our cities and suburbs for years to come.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said quality cycling and transport infrastructure would benefit residents and visitors to Newcastle.

“Creating safer ways for cyclists to get around our city will ensure that people who want to use active transport are able to,” Mr Martin said.

The Streets as Shared Spaces initiative has provided funding to 48 projects across the state and encourages new and improved pedestrian and active transport links.

Works on the Hunter Street West End Cycleway trial are scheduled to start in mid-2021 and take several months to complete. To follow its progress visit our Works page.