City of Newcastle has officially endorsed a new 665-metre cycleway and shared footpath along Chinchen Street and Hubbard Street in Islington following significant community support. The planned cycleway will connect existing infrastructure, creating a protected route from the Scholey Street rail bridge in Mayfield, through Islington Park, and toward the city centre via a combination of on-road separated cycleway and off-road shared pathways.
Ryan Tranter, Executive Manager of Transport and Regulation at City of Newcastle, highlighted the community’s enthusiasm, noting that over 90% of public submissions were in favor of the proposal. “We are committed to promoting active transport by providing safe, connected, and convenient infrastructure,” said Mr. Tranter. The new route aims to support diverse users, including students, parents, and staff commuting to Islington Public School and Tighes Hill TAFE.
Key features of the Islington Cycleway project include:
- A bidirectional, on-road separated cycleway along Chinchen Street, utilizing concrete separators for cyclist safety.
- A shared path along Chinchen Street and Hubbard Street, connecting Styx Creek Bridge to John Hooker Street.
- Improved cyclist visibility with landscaped kerb extensions at the Linden Street intersection.
- A continuous path along Hubbard Street that prioritizes shared path users over road traffic.
Construction is slated to begin early next year, with funding of $950,000 from the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active program. This cycleway will contribute to Newcastle’s broader ‘On Our Bikes’ Cycling Plan, enhancing connections across the city’s western suburbs. The project also aligns with last year’s $800,000 intersection upgrade at Chinchen and Clyde streets, designed to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.