Islington cycleway improvements

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We are improving transport safety and connectivity in Islington.

A new cycleway and shared footpath will connect users travelling to and from the Scholey Street rail bridge in Mayfield, through to Islington Park and on to the city centre.

The new cycleway and shared footpath will cater for all users of varying confidence and ability.


What does the project involve?

The 665-metre stretch will connect existing cycleway and shared path infrastructure, and will include:

  • An on-road separated bi-directional cycleway, using concrete separators, along the north side of Chinchen Street from Linden Street to the east side of the Styx Creek bridge.
  • A shared path along Chinchen Street and Hubbard Street from Styx Creek bridge to John Hooker Street.
  • Landscaped kerb extensions at the Linden Street intersection to provide improved visibility and separation for cyclists crossing.
  • Connections into the existing shared path at the Clyde Street traffic signals to provide a separated off-road option through the intersection.
  • A raised priority path crossing along Hubbard Street across John Hooker Street, which gives priority to shared path users over road users.


What's the latest?

Early supporting works will commence in mid-December 2024 and are expected to take approximately 2 weeks to complete, weather permitting. During this stage we will build two kerb ramps at the intersection of Hubbard and Chinchen Streets and construct a new footpath between Styx Creek and Rod Scott and Sons.

From January 2025, work will commence on the shared path upgrade in front of Islington Public School. These works will take approximately 4 weeks to complete (weather permitting) and we aim to finish as much as possible during the school holidays. 

We thank you for your patience while we deliver this vital infrastructure that will cater for users of varying confidence and ability.


Why are we doing this?

We are committed to providing safe, connected, convenient, and comfortable infrastructure that supports people to cycle and walk.

This project supports CN's Cycling Plan and forms an important link in the R6 Regional Route which connects Newcastle City Centre to the University of Newcastle's Callaghan Campus.

Community consultation on this project.


News

30 October 2024 - Community and Councillors back Islington cycleway connection

22 June 2024 - New link to extend safer connections across Newcastle's cycleway network 


Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with City of Newcastle.

FAQs

The existing cycle lane markings on Chinchen Streety will be removed and the new cycleway will become the primary one for cyclists. Cyclists will be able to choose whether they want to use the new cycleway or command the lane with general traffic.
Islington Public School is a destination point for many people who will be using the cycleway. A shared path delivers people directly to the school gate, making it a natural mount and dismount place. It also means existing on-street transport arrangements at the school will not be impacted by the cycleway.

It is expected that cyclists passing along this section of cycleway at peak school times will encounter congestion and need to slow, then proceed with caution. They may even need to dismount at times. We are enhancing the markings along the Hubbard Street shared path in front of the school to indicate that it is a slow zone.
A raised priority path crossing is a new style of crossing which gives priority to shared path users over road users for increased safety. 

As our designs for this project were being finalised, changes were made to the Australia Standards for traffic control devices, which gave us the opportunity to include a raised priority path crossing instead of the continuous path that was previously proposed.  
A raised priority path crossing, and continuous path were also explored as options at the TAFE Newcastle intersection on Linden Street. Unfortunately, due to the higher traffic volume and need to provide for larger operational vehicles at the TAFE, they proved not to be viable options.

To improve safety for shared path users we will provide landscaped kerb extensions at this intersection to increase the separation from the shared path crossing point to turning vehicles and increase visibility between motorists and shared path users.
We will use a raised concrete separator, similar to those used in John Parade, Merewether. These are essentially a narrow raised concrete median with gaps at regular intervals to allow for drainage. The gaps can also assist pedestrians that may be crossing the road.
Yes, some sections of the road will be resurfaced, but disruption to existing infrastructure is expected to be minimal.
When selecting the type of cycleway facility to be built, we try to balance the needs of all road users. One  consideration is when and where on-street parking lanes may need to be reallocated in favour of providing safe separated spaces for cyclists and pedestrians.

The two-way on-road separated cycleway will require the reallocation of road space currently being used as on-street parking along some sections of Chinchen Street. These spaces are along Chinchen Street in front of TAFE Newcastle, which has sufficient off-street parking available for staff, students, and visitors.

To support the transport requirements of the school community, the shared path in front of Islington Public School will not impact the current on-street parking arrangements in Chinchen Street and Hubbard Street.

Parking bays will be utilised by crew while construction work is being undertaken.
East bound cyclists using the on-road separated cycleway will have the option to remain on-road and to travel through the traffic signals with general traffic.

West bound cyclists using the on-road separated cycleway will need to use the shared path bypass to continue westbound travel along Chinchen Street.
Yes. The raised priority path crossing at John Hooker Street will require upgrades to the stormwater drainage and will be included as part of this project.

Drainage upgrades are not required elsewhere on the project.
We routinely street sweep on-road separated cycleways.

We know that maintaining cycleways is an important factor in encouraging people to choose cycling as a way to get around.