NICB Rankin Park to Jesmond Bypass

I object to the current plan to remove the shared path between Jesmond Park and Jesmond and replace it with three traffic crossings. The path should be retained as a continuous off-road path. Many of the other cycle/paths have alternatives like tunnels or bridges over busy arterial roads.

I object to the plan to remove the shared path between Jesmond Park and Jesmond and replace it with three traffic crossings. The path should be retained as a continuous off-road path.
Get real, this will cause traffic chaos when people ping the pedestrian lights on all the proposed crossings considering the number of users that use this path and of course when impatience kicks in and people don't wait for the lights to change and run the gauntlet.

My submission:

I Endorse Brian Weymouth's submission:

I and a number of my friends (over 30) regularly use the cycle path through Jesmond Park and onto Wallsend (often then via the Tramway Track to Glendale). At present it involves one set of lights, to cross Newcastle Road at Blue Gum Road.

I understand the proposed new route will involve three (!) sets of traffic lights.

In this climate of encouraging people to exercise it's with disbelief that I
discover that a $300 million upgrade to our road system has overlooked the
needs of cyclists and walkers getting from Jesmond Park to Wallsend (part of
the major cycling route between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie), making the route actually worse than it is at present.

The general trend in road making has been to cater for the needs of cyclists and walkers. Why then has this been overlooked on this occasion?

To implement a safe and convenient path from Jesmond Park to Wallsend, using tunnels or overpasses, must cost only a tiny fraction of the total cost of the new road system.

When cyclists and pedestrians are forced to use traffic lights to cross busy roads, drivers are frustrated by the holdup in their progress. One answer to this is to implement a lengthy delay before the lights change, in case (I presume) another pedestrian might come along. The consequence, and this is well known, is that many less responsible members of the public will not wait and run across the busy road. This won't help the government's aim of reducing the road toll.

Please modify the project to provide a convenient and safe connection between the Jesmond Park shared path and Wallsend.

Please hurry up and build this bypass. Residents like myself are sick of the traffic congestion on Croudace Road. It is long overdue. Cut the delays and get on with construction asap.

I object to the request to extend the operating hours for the construction of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.

I live close to 2 quarries which will no doubt both be vying for contracts to supply product for this construction.
Martins Creek Quarry, operated by Daracon, is working without a valid operating licence and believes it has unrestricted times of operation which is currently before the courts in a dispute with Dungog Shire Council.
Hanson Quarry at Brandy Hill is the other Quarry in question.

A start time of 6am in Newcastle would mean a 5am dispatch time at Martins Creek which would require empty trucks to be travelling along Brandy Hill Drive, where I live, from 4.30am.
Trucks would be dispatched from Hanson Quarry from 5.30am with the empty trucks arriving before then.

I believe that it would place an additional burden with respect to sleep disturbances and noise impact at such early hours and in the early evenings over a long period of time should these quarries be given the supply contracts.

Remember, a 6am start for a Newcastle project translates to a 4.30am start for us. A totally unacceptable scenario. You need to understand the far reaching consequences of early start times for projects such as this one.

Please do not allow this project to disturb the sleep of residents along the quarry haulage routes, which are otherwise quiet overnight.

Please listen to this concern as it affects every household along the haulage routes.

After seeing that newcastle inner bypass is looking to extend its hours,please consider the communities of Paterson and surrounding villages ,who already put up with trucks coming and going to and from Martins Creek Quarry all day and already starting at 5.45am.This already impacts these communities with a detromental effect.The quarry is working under lawless rules as the court case between Daragon and Dungog Council continues to stall.Please take these communities into consideration and reduce the amount of trucks damaging our country roads that our local council are responsible for.

I object to the plan to remove the shared path between Jesmond Park and Jesmond and replace it with three traffic crossings. The path should be retained as a continuous off-road path. Every effort should be made to retain and improve cycling infrastructure.

I object to the application to extend the operating hours for the currently unregulated Martins Creek Quarry as this will only add additional stress to local residents including myself who are already affected by the unreasonable noise, dust, vibration and increasing truck movements through Paterson Township. The operating hours should remain unchanged.

I object to the application to extend the operating hours of the Martins Creek Quarry. Extended construction hours will place additional pressure on residents including myself already impacted by the as yet unregulated activities of Martins Creek Quarry should they win any of the supply contracts. Any additional noise, dust, vibration and increased truck movements through Paterson Township is unacceptable. The operating hours should remain unchanged.

Being that this development is to provide superior and safer transport, the decision to remove the popular cycleway between jesmond and new lambton (through jespond park) without an alternative would be a huge step backwards for the area and create undue hazards for cyclists and pedestrians who regularly use this path.

A simple underpass is all that is required to provide access from one side of the new bypass to the other and it is surprising that this has been overlooked or removed without regard for the many people who use the path.

Regards

Danny James

I strongly object to the proposed 3 pedestrian crossings on the plans for Newcastle Inner City Bypass Rankin Park to Jesmond. As a local resident who regularly uses the pedestrian/cycle path in Jesmond Park to access the shops in Jesmond and for recreation I believe cutting the existing path and replacing it with 3 pedestrian crossings going over multi lane roads is highly dangerous. I have had many near misses from motorists not obeying the red lights at Newcastle Road pedestrian crossings and nearly hitting me on the crossing. Children who use this will now have to cross at 3 crossings instead of using a safe underpass or bridge to get across the multi lanes.

Another consideration should be the already congested road being continually stopped as pedestrians have to cross not once but 3 times halting traffic every time they want to use this road. This solution will not only make it more congested on the road but will make locals like myself who have to exit onto Newcastle Road from Steel Street by car near impossible. At peak times it is impossible to turn right from Steel Street towards Wallsend as there is continuous traffic in both directions. Having an added 3 pedestrian lights for traffic to bankup from will impede this even more in my opinion.

I am not sure if a sufficient study has been conducted on the pedestrian and cycle usage on this path? If you had you would see this is an extremely used path and the impact of stopping traffic from the many who use it will be a hindrance to this already congested road. I am not at all objecting to the bypass as I hope this may improve traffic in my area but I do caution that it is improved so that a suitable underpass is constructed to replace the 3 sets of traffic lights that myself and others will be forced to use everyday. You may find it useful to see a Strava heat map to see just how highly used this shared path is and the implications to this proposed bypass if this section of the plan is not modified.

Thankyou for the opportunity to comment on the EIS for the proposed Jesmond to Rankin Park Bypass.

In summary, the proposal will have a negative effect on key shared paths and open space connections, and is inconsistent with the Hunter Regional Plan 2036. The main concern is the severance of the existing shared path along the southern edge of Jesmond Park and the proposed design of the northern interchange. Small changes to the northern interchange design can resolve these issues.

The proposal is inconsistent with the Hunter Regional Plan 2036 Direction 18 to `enhance access to recreational facilities and connect open spaces'. The severance of the existing shared path along the southern edge of Jesmond Park will decrease the local open space and pedestrian / cyclist connectivity between Jesmond Park and Brickworks Park. There are also potential impacts on regional open space connections, such the development of the proposed `green grid' discussed in the HRP 2036 that aims to `connect Glenrock State Conservation Area, Blue Gum Hills Regional Park and Blackbutt Reserve'. The Jesmond area is likely to be a crucial pinch point in any future planning that attempts to strengthen open space connectivity.

The proposal to replace the existing connective shared path along the southern edge of Jesmond Park with three traffic light crossings for east west movements at the northern interchange is unacceptable. Although the EIS states that in regard to this east west crossing for cyclists and pedestrians that `delays are not expected to be significant as the green time for the traffic lights would be relatively high due to the dominant traffic movements on Newcastle road being eastwest.' The fact that the proposed design provides three traffic crossings instead of three pedestrian crossings indicate that there will still be a significant level of traffic than requires traffic lights instead of pedestrian crossings. This design feature will result in unnecessary delays to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

I do not object to the proposal, but consider that with suitable design modifications, appropriate open space, pedestrian and cyclists connections, and improved traffic flow can easily be provided. This could include incorporation of a tunnel or overpass into the intersection design to limit the impact that the severance of the existing shared path along the southern edge of Jesmond Park will have.

I support the improvements to Newcastle traffic and arterial infrastructure including this bypass, however I wish to lodge an objection to two elements within the EIS, and request the proponent to amend their EIS accordingly:

1. I object to the proposed earlier than normal construction hours. Reason: although the proposed hours will reduce "overall construction duration" the early morning offsite impacts of construction material deliveries at the proposed hour of the day will result in early morning (RNP classified night time criteria) noise impacts being incurred by not only residents of the project but residents of those who are impacted by quarry operations (and associated early morning dispatches) from where the material is proposed to be sourced.

2. I object to the reference of Martins Creek Quarry as being a source of construction aggregates for the project within the EIS. I wish the project team to be made aware that MCQ facility is currently operating without lawful consent and this matter is the subject of class 4 land and environment court proceedings at present. MCQ current consent authorizes 24 trucks per day of rail ballast to be extracted from the facility. Although it is a source of aggregates for the Hunter market I submit that it would be inappropriate for the RMS project team to assert or rely on this facility within their EIS for the supply of product until the lawfulness of the operations have been clarified by the LEC.

To whom it may concern,
Whilst I do not oppose the project itself, I am concerned that if Daracon is to hold the contract for this job, then the extended construction hours will in turn mean extended operating hours of Martins Creek Quarry and truck movements through the village of Paterson and surrounding areas. The current trucking movements are already having a detrimental effect on our town and my business. They are a safety hazard, reduce tourist numbers and cause vibration and noise pollution problems. It is also of concern that Daracon are awaiting a verdict from the courts regarding their operating procedures and other factors. I ask that you would take this into account when applying operating hours and awarding the relevant contracts.
Thank you for your time.

While I support the final phase of the Newcastle Bypass, I object to aspects of the project as exhibited in the EIS.

At the northern end of the new section, the shared pathway between Jesmond Park and the southern Jesmond residental area is being cut, and being replaced by 3 sets of pedestrian crossing lights near high-speed and high-density traffic. This will add a detour and additional time to anyone travelling between those areas, including for those commuting to work, and add significant danger to what was previously a quiet and low-traffic access point that could be safely used by families and children.

These pedestrian crossings should not be implemented as exhibited, but rather there should be effort put in to create a solution that maintains (or improves) current travel time and safety aspects. I note that there are two proposed and rejected options in the EIS, but both of those options (a lengthy tunnel through the lowest point of the project, and an enormous overpass bridge) appear to have minimal design put in to them. It would be much simpler to create a small overpass and then a tunnel underneath the main expressway flyover.

This path is a key link in active transport for Newcastle. The stated goals of the NSW Government and the RMS are to increase participation in active transport, and the project as currently proposed acts against these goals.

In addition to the above, my main objection as it actually decreases amenity, I also object to the lack of provision for active transport in the rest of the project. The success of the shared pathway travelling the entire length of the M7 in Western Sydney should have been justification to implement similar shared pathways alongside all bypass construction.

If there were a genuine effort to increase commuting via bicycle and foot, then a shared pathway along the length of this new bypass would vastly improve active transport connectivity between Wallsend, Jesmond, Lambton, the John Hunter Hospital and Kotara areas.

I am making this submission not as a regular user of the path (only 1-2 times a month) as I now no longer live in the area and only travel through for leisure. However, I have benefitted greatly from the Fernleigh Track development and use it as a regular commuting route, and I strongly believe that similar infrastructure should be provided throughout Newcastle.

It has been repeatedly shown that investment in active transport infrastructure quickly repays its cost in reduced congestion and improved community health, and so to omit such infrastructure for the sake of a few percent of the total project cost is short-sighted.

I write to raise my concern with the design of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass - Rankin Park to Jesmond, specifically with regards to the removal of the east-west shared path west of Jesmond Park. I have a number of concerns with the plan to replace the existing shared path with three signalised crossings over multiple lanes of traffic including the following.

- cyclists travelling east-west will tend to use the roadway, which is a more dangerous options compared to the existing shared path
- the roadway will be less efficient for motorists due to the need to slow down while passing cyclists and maintaining minimum passing distances
- pedestrians will be much less likely to use the three crossings at all, due to the additional time required to wait for signals to change

I request RMS include or at least consider the option of including a tunnel under the bypass or an overpass south of the Newcastle Road intersection to maintain the existing shared path.

Kind Regards
Nicholas Bates

I object to the proposed earlier and later hours of operations insofar as it relates to any product coming from Martins Creek quarry (MCQ).
MCQ have already caused considerable disruption to our community by blatantly ignoring DA consents imposed by Dungog Shire Council particularly in regard to the number of trucks entering and leaving the quarry.
Should Daracon win any contract associated with this proposed by-pass I urge that the the terms of the contract make it clear that Daracon shall not allow access to or from the MCQ beyond the standard hours of 7.00am to 6.00pm

We wish to lodge our formal opposition to the time of day aspects of the Newcastle ByPass EIS that is on exhibit closing today.

Brandy Hill & Seaham Action is a community group that was formed to work with the Brandy Hill Quarry CCC, for their proposed expansion to 1.5 mtpa.

We are also on the committee of the Martins Creek Quarry Action Group, because that quarry is and has been sending huge numbers of trucks through our community. Sometimes, depending on contracts, there can be more Martins Creek quarry trucks than trucks from the Brandy Hill Quarry on our roads.

This focus of our committee explains our concern and interest in finding that the EIS proposes daily starting times from 6am. In the short time available we have not found any mention of the proposed starting times for delivery of aggregates and road base and other quarry products, or any analysis of where they would be sourced and the impacts on residents etc affected by quarry operations and road haulage.

Dungog Shire Council is currently taking Buttai Gravel to court over many breaches of what they and the community regard as the conditions of consent. Communities near that quarry and along the haul routes have already suffered a huge loss of amenity from the quarry operator that believes they have an unconditional license to do whatever they want. Trucks waking us up from before 5am has been one of the imposts, which affects the wellbeing and mental health of many residents.

We also have Hanson's Brandy Hill Quarry, which currently has a consent for a limited annual tonnes, but can operate 24/7. They have an SSDA in progress to expand to 1.5 mtpa. 24/7 is the point that will be most strongly challenged and objected to through the EIS process. That quarry generally has not abused that right, but even they have brought the starting time for dispatch forward to 5:30am for a limited number of trucks hauling to Sydney.

So you can see that we view the prospect of quarry trucks servicing this by-pass with an earlier than usual start of 6am with alarm. Not only will the full trucks be passing though our community from around 5am, the rumbling rattly empty trucks will be heading for the quarries from well before 5am.

Daracon at Martins Creek would be only too happy to do that, as sending trucks through residential communities in the early morning is something they are good at. Hanson might try to limit the early morning traffic for the sake of residents, but if a major contract such as the by pass requires it, then they could be forced to.

Please consider the likely flow on effects of earlier and later operating times for the by pass construction. The noise receptors are not only those near the construction site, but also include major supply routes for quarry materials which I expect will be the major raw material.

The actual start and end times for construction are somewhat irrelevant for our community, but if those start times do not have other restrictions on haulage, then there will be a huge impact on our community and others along quarry haul routes.

We are already lodging noise complaints to two quarries for sleep disturbance in the early mornings. One of the quarries is already being taken to court for breaches of the consent, and the communities are desperate for the courts to uphold the injunction and bring some relief to our loss of amenity.

Please ensure that the by pass project is not allowed to generate any additional quarry truck traffic along haulage routes through residential communities before 7am.

I ask for your patience with this hastily prepared submission, as it may not present our case against the potential for more sleep disturbance, as well as it could.

We all need and want better roads and access to facilities like the John Hunter hospital, and we know that quarry products are needed, but please ensure that our community is not sacrificed as an innocent victim in constructing them.

Yours Sincerely
Neil Ritchie

Brandy Hill And Seaham Action

I object to the plan to remove the shared path between Jesmond Park and Jesmond and replace it with three traffic crossings. The path should be retained as a continuous off-road path. It is dangerous for pedestrians and bicycle riders if this is removed, and may even cause stoppages of traffic.

Daracon should not be awarded a contract which will result in extended hours of operation of Martins Creek quarry and/or more traffic to and from the quarry.