HEXHAM – First Stage of Upgrades Now Open

 Hunter motorists who travel left onto Maitland Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass may notice lighter traffic with three lanes now open in both directions for 650 metres.

The State and Federal Governments have collectively invested $2.2 billion into the project which is set to reduce traffic congestion on the highway when the full 6km stretch opens next year.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says she understands the benefit this upgrade will have on the wider community.

“This is a hugely busy corridor for both motorists and freight, 50,000 people travel on this road every day”.

“This is an important starting point,” she said.

As for the future of the Hexham straight, the additional lane is only a taste of what is to come, when complete the road will comprise of three lanes for the entire six-kilometre stretch.

The project is expected to be finished by 2026.

BY JESSICA STEENS

Governments Hail Progress on Maitland Rd Widening at Hexham

BY PETER HYSLOP

Progress is being made on the Hexham straight widening project, with demolition of the old northbound bridge over Ironbark Creek now complete.

Construction is underway on a second bridge- completed works will involve two bridges carrying three lanes in each direction.

Federal Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says the project should mean relief for commuters on the notorious stretch.

"It is an extremely well used road," she said.

"I know that both Tim and I get lots of enquiries about the progress of this project because people are very, very excited to see some improvements here," she said.

State Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says  the upgrades should go a long way.

"I am a 10-year veteran of living in Newcastle, working in Maitland, and I know the massive difference that this project will mean for tens of thousands of people doing that same commute," he said.

Progress of the new bridges at Ironbark Creek. Credit: Sharon Claydon MP

BREAKING! 4 Vehicle Pile-Up Closes Maitand Road At Hexham

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are urging Newcastle-bound drivers on the New England Highway to divert at Beresfield following a 4 vehicle crash at Hexham.

3 cars and a light truck collided nose-to-tail on the highway approaching the Hexham Bridge at about 7.45am on Thursday, blocking all inbound lanes.

Only 1 westbound lane is open due to the number of emergency services at the scene.

They are working to release a male driver who is trapped by confinement.

Inbound traffic is back at least 2 kilometres behind the accident scene.

Work Underway to Widen the Hexham Straight and Extend the M1 Pacific Highway to Raymond Terrace

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Federal Transport Minister joined a number of Hunter MPs in the region on Tuesday the 26th of July to announce work to widen the Hexham Straight is now underway. 

The project will see the dual carriageway along the the Pacific Highway between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge widened from two lanes to three in each direction. 

It will also involve the demolition of Ironbark Bridge to make way for two new bridges at Ironbark Creek. 

Catherine King said the move will reduce traffic here in the Hunter, and allow motorists to travel from Sydney to Brisbane without encountering any traffic lights. 

NSW Roads Minister John Graham also attended the announcement and says he expects thousands of jobs will be delivered for the Hunter over the course of the Hexham project, and the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway out to Raymond Terrace. 

He said the upgrade will deliver more reliable travel times for freight vehicles and commuters alike. 

"This is a notorious bottleneck; motorists have queued here over generations as the Pacific Highway has become smoother and smoother, but the run has often ended here in congestion. That will cease when these works are delivered." 

"It's great news for motorists right across NSW." 

The Hexham upgrade is expected to be completed by 2026, and the M1 extension should be finished by 2028.

( From Left to Right:) Kate Washington, John Graham, Dan Repacholi, Catherine King and Tim Crakanthorp

Man Faces Court On Break And Enter Charges In Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been refused bail following an investigation into two alleged break and enter offences in the Port Stephens area.

Police say the offences relate to the theft of a safe from the Hexham Bowling Club on July 8 and the attempted theft of another safe from a restaurant on Ferodale Road at Medowie on July 17.

Officers went to a motel on Gowrie Avenue at Nelson Bay on Wednesday morning and arrested a 37-year-old man.

He was charged with break and enter offences and drug possession and refused bail to re-appear in Raymond Terrace Court on September 20.

BREAKING! Four Boys Arrested After Alleged High Speed Pursuit And Head-On Crash At Hexham

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four boys are under police guard in hospital after an alleged high speed pursuit ended in a head-on crash at Hexham early Monday morning.

Patrolling police noticed a white Kia Sportage with four juveniles on board at Lemon Tree Passage just after 1.00am - the car had early been reported stolen.

The car took off when the driver realised they were being followed and a pursuit began, with the car allegedly reaching speeds of 160km/h in a 90km/h zone.

The chase continued to Industrial Drive and back up Maitland Road where officers attempted to use road spikes, but the car allegedly crossed to the wrong side of the road to avoid them and collided with an oncoming car.

The female driver wasn't seriously injured and the 4 boys were arrested - they were later taken to the John Hunter Hospital after complaining of aches and pains. 

Man helped to safety after Hexham warehouse fall

BY IAN CROUCH

Paramedics have treated a man for minor injuries after he fell through the floor of an abandoned warehouse at Hexham on Thursday morning.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to Old Maitland Road just after 10.30am.

NSW Ambulance says the man in his 40s fell about three metres, at the former M.I. Steel Building.

He was helped to safety by police and paramedics, who treated him for cuts and a minor ankle injury.

Large Scrap Metal Fire At Hexham Being Investigated

 BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way into the cause of a large industrial fire at Hexham.

Newcastle Fire Command says firefighters were called to the InfraBuild recycling plant on Sparke Street just before 11.30am on Sunday to find a large pile of scrap metal on fire.

At least 80 firefighters battled the massive pile, measuring around 100 metres by 50 metres and between 10 and 15 metres high, using cranes to break up the pile.

It prompted a warning to residents in surrounding suburbs to close windows and vents due to the large volume of toxic smoke.

Crews were also concerned about LPG and oxygen cylinders stored at the site.

Crews battle the scrap metal pile fire at Hexham Picture: Maitand Mercury

New England Highway closed after ten vehicle crash

BY IAN CROUCH

The Ambulance Service says six people have been injured in a crash involving up to 10 vehicles at Tarro. 

The crash happened on the New England Highway between the Hexham Bridge and Anderson Drive just after 6:30am

NSW Ambulance says one person has been freed from one of the vehicles and taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with a pelvic injury.

A second person has also been transported to hospital.

The other 4 patients did not require transport. 

Traffic in the area is in gridlock, with the highway closed in both directions. 

It's also impacting arterial roads such as the Pacific Highway, the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, John Renshaw Drive, and Raymond Terrace Road. 

Motorists are advised to delay their journey and avoid the area until further notice.

Police Car Rammed During Pursuit at Hexham

 BY IAN CROUCH

A police car has been rammed during a pursuit at Hexham overnight.

Officers spotted a Holden Commodore on Maitland Road just after 2.00am on Tuesday which they regarded as suspicious, and tried to pull it over.

The car stopped briefly and reversed into the pursuing police car causing minor damage before taking off.

The chase was terminated when the car crossed to the wrong side of the road.

The vehicle was later found burnt out at Awaba.  

Have Your Say on Plans to Widen the Pacific Highway at Hexham to Six Lanes

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Hunter is being invited to have its say on initial plans to widen the Pacific Highway (Maitland Road) at Hexham from four to six lanes, between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and the New England Highway.

The plan includes upgrading six kilometres of the existing highway from two to three lanes in each direction and a new bridge crossing at Ironbark Creek.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the proposed project would improve traffic flow, deliver more reliable travel times for freight, and increase safety for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

“This widening project is being designed to improve travel times and safety for the 50,000 drivers who use the road every day,” Mr Constance said.

“The project would facilitate economic growth to and from key employment areas in the Hunter region, such as the Port of Newcastle and Greater Newcastle, by improving the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway.”

Transport for NSW is inviting comments on the proposed plans until Friday 5 February, with all feedback being considered as the project progresses.

To have your say, visit nswroads.work/hexham.

Officers Injured in Early Morning Pursuit

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man has been charged following a crash which ended a pursuit through the Hunter and left two police officers with soft tissue injuries.

Officers initiated a pursuit after spotting a Toyota Corolla speeding along Nelson Bay Road at Bobs Farm shortly before 1 o'clock on Sunday morning.

The chase continued south through Williamtown and Tomago before reaching Hexham Bridge, where officers deployed road spikes.

The Corolla drove through the spikes onto the bridge and collided with the stationary Highway Patrol vehicle while attempting to turn right onto the New England Highway.

The car stopped nearby after driving into a chain-wire fence and three people were arrested at the scene.

The driver, a 19-year-old Cessnock man, was charged with several offences including reckless driving, driving with a cancelled licence, and possession of the drug Methamphetamine.

Police also executed four outstanding warrants relating to offences including assault, damage property, fraud, contravene AVO, reckless wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man was refused bail to face court on Monday, September 16.

The police officers injured in the crash were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

BREAKING! Westpac Rescue Helicopter Called To Serious Crash At Hexham

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been called to a serious crash at Hexham.

A truck has collided with a motorbike in the southbound lanes of Maitland Road near the BP Service Station.

It's believed the bike was dragged underneath the truck for some distance.

Paramedics are treating the 21-year-old male rider at the scene.

It's believed he's suffered multiple fractures but he is conscious and breathing and is about to freed and flown to hospital.

Police Dog Tracks Down Couple Involved In High Speed Pursuit From Hexham To Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

Two people are due to face court next month over a high speed pursuit from Newcastle to Port Stephens.

Highway Patrol officers detected a vehicle speeding on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass just after 11 o'clock on Tuesday night and initiated a pursuit when the car failed to stop.

It's claimed the car reached speeds of up to 165 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone.

The chase continued for several minutes to the intersection of Nelson Bay Road and Richardson Road at Salt Ash where it was terminated when the car crossed to the wrong side of the road.

A short time later, officers located the car dumped nearby and a police dog found the alleged driver and passenger hiding in bushland.

The 24-year-old male driver from Kogarah has been charged with exceeding the speed limit by 45 kilometres per hour, police pursuit (Skye's Law), drive recklessly, drive in a manner dangerous and driving with an expired license.

His 24-year-old female passenger has been charged with failing to disclose her identity, refusing to disclose the driver's identity and drug possession.

The pair have been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Local Court on 11 February, 2019.

EXCLUSIVE: Young Driver Arrested After Pursuit From Hexham To Heddon Greta

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has a date in court after leading police on a pursuit from Hexham to Heddon Greta early this morning.

Police say the 31-year-old man was driving his mother's Holden Commodore on Maitland Road at about 3.00am when they became concerned about his manner of driving and tried to pull him over.

However, he refused to stop, leading police on a pursuit which allegedly reached speeds of 120 kilometres per hour before he finally pulled over on Main Road at Heddon Greta.

He's been charged with Skye's Law, high range drink driving, consume alcohol while driving  and unlicensed driving and has been granted bail to face Newcastle Local Court on November 15.