Driver Charged With Driving Recklessly and Furiously On Newcastle Inner City Bypass

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged a man with driving recklessly and furiously on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at Hillsborough.

Highway Patrol officers say just before 4.00am on Sunday they detected an MG SUV being driven at 196km/hr in a 90 zone on the bypass.

They pulled the car over and subjected the driver to a random drug test where it's alleged he returned a positive result.

The 27-year-old, who was allegedly driving on a disqualified licence, was taken to Belmont Police Station where he underwent a second drug test.

The Stockton man's been charged with driving while disqualified, drive recklessly and furiously or speed manner dangerous and exceed speed by more than 45km/hr.

He faced Newcastle Local Court on Sunday where he was granted strict conditional bail to face the same court on March 7.

Man Charged With Assaulting Female Police Officer, After Punching Lake Macquarie Home Owner Several Times

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged after a police officer was assaulted during an arrest in Lake Macquarie overnight.

About 8pm on Monday night, a man entered the backyard of a home on King Street, Hillsborough, where it’s alleged he damaged sporting equipment.

The homeowners confronted him a short time later before he fled and ran through several nearby properties, continuing to damage homes.

A second homeowner confronted the man on Percy Street when it’s alleged the man tackled him and punched him in the face several times.

Officers  attended a short time later and a female senior constable attempted to arrest the 20-year-old man.

Police allege the man punched the officer in the side of the head and pulled at her hair before he was arrested with assistance from other officers.

The female officer sustained bruising and swelling to her face and was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment, while the 20-year-old man was also taken to hospital under police guard for treatment to injuries sustained during the incident.

The 20-year-old Charlestown man was released from hospital on Tuesday morning and taken to Belmont Police Station.

He was charged with nine offences including two counts of destroy or damage property, two counts of enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, and three counts of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.

He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Tuesday.

Two Car Crashes on Hillsborough Road Causing Significant Traffic Delays

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Emergency services have been called to the scene of two,  three car crashes at Hillsborough on Hillsborough Road. 

One crash occurred just before midday on Friday near Higham Road, with one westbound lane closed and eastbound traffic also affected.

Traffic is backed up from the Higham Road turnoff across the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. 

A woman believed to be in her 20's has been transported to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition complaining of abdominal pain.

In a separate incident three cars have also crashed on Hillsborough Road, at around 12.20pm approaching Crockett Street. 

Meanwhile an earlier car fire on the M1 Pacific Motorway is causing delays for Northbound traffic at Wyee in Lake Macquarie.

The incident happened approximately 2 kilometers South of Mandalong Road.  

Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time. 

Residents Rally for Hillsborough Road

BY SAM ISAAC AND LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Hillsborough and Warners Bay residents will gather at Hillsborough oval today at 9am, calling on the state government to release funding in the upcoming NSW 2018/19 budget for improvements to Hillsborough Road.

They'll share stories about accidents or near-misses along the stretch, with representatives from Lake Macquarie Council and Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison to also address the crowd.

It's understood the RMS has been invited to attend but is yet to deliver an RSVP.

The busy arterial road runs through Warner's Bay and Cardiff South and has been a source of controversy for years.

Daily congestion means many residents struggle to enter and exit their own homes, often costing them 15 or 20 minutes in the morning.

They're also concerned about the dangers the road poses to motorists and pedestrians alike, following the tragic 2015 death of 15-year-old Jade Frith.

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison says the government promised her a study on the road's problems and ways to remedy them back in 2015 but no upgrades have since been completed.

Hillsborough resident, Michael Nolan organised the meeting and says everyone living in the suburb has only two main entrances and exits, so Hillsborough Road needs to be de-congested.

"We've been petitioning the state government for five and a half years to release the Roads and Maritime report [the Lake Macquarie Network Study] to identify the problems along the Road and the solutions to those traffic issues...

"We've now got a draft copy of that report, which identifies that traffic lights will be put at the Chadwick Street and Hillsborough Road intersection," he continued, "so now we're hoping they'll act on the draft plans before...the next election."

Anyone passionate about the cause who can't make it to the meeting is urged to contact the office of Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison or write to the office of Roads Minister, Melinda Pavey.

Flowers mourn the death of a 15-year-old girl on the busiest section of Hillsborough Rd, 2015.
Image: The Herald.