Cash Splash for Cessnock Road

 BY JARROD MELMETH

A notorious stretch of road at Bucketty near Cessnock is set to receive some safety upgrades after receiving $1.7 million dollars in funding from the State Government.

The improvements will be undertaken along a 700m stretch between George Downes Drive and Great North Road.

The funding is part of the NSW Governments 20/21 Safer Roads program and will be handed to Cessnock City Council to complete the works.

Councils Road Safety Officer Alice Shelton says the road is in dire need of safety upgrades.

"This route is an important link from the M1 through to the Hunter Valley Vineyards which has had a number of crashes on the road which made us eligible for the funding. 

"It will also complement other works we have done in the area, to improve the safety of that linkage," Ms Shelton said. 

Council says the project is in the early stages, but hopes to involve improvements around road shoulder widening, installation of a motorcycle friendly safety barrier, and delineation improvements.

Pictured: George Downes Drive, Bucketty

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash At Bucketty

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner following the death of a motorcyclist in the Hunter Valley on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Great North Road, Bucketty (40km north-west of Somersby), about 4.30pm, responding to reports of a crash involving a motorcycle and SUV.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were told a man was riding north and a Mitsubishi SUV was being driven south, when the crash occurred in the southbound lane.

The SUV left the road, crashing down a ravine trapping the driver, while the motorcyclist was thrown down the same ravine.

Paramedics were winched by helicopter down the ravine to the injured motorcyclist; however, he died a short time after being brought up to the roadway.

He is believed to have been aged 59 and from Mardi.

A 44-year-old woman, from Paxton, was released from the wreckage of her SUV and escaped with relatively minor injuries.

She was taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory testing.

Police were assisted at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, Rescue helicopter crew, RFS and VRA volunteers.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.