UPDATE! Critical Incident Investigation Launched After Fatal Motorbike Crash In Newcastle C.B.D

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died in a horrific motorcycle crash moments after police terminated a pursuit in the Newcastle C.B.D early today.

Officers were patrolling the city when they attempted to stop a motorbike on Hunter Street near Steele Street just before 3.00am on Wednesday.

However, the rider took off and the officers initiated a pursuit which they terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.

Police say the motorcycle continued along Hunter Street before being found crashed on Scott Street, after hitting a pole.

Officers rendered first aid; however the male rider died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

A critical incident team from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will investigate all circumstances leading up to the incident, with their findings being subject to an independent review.

Scott Street has now re-opened but Light rail services are operating on a restricted service from Newcastle Interchange stopping at Queens Wharf.

Anyone with information which can assist investigators is being urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Crash Scene In Scott Street Newcastle Photo: theherald.com.au

Safety Report Bans Cyclists from Scott Street

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Cyclists have been banned from riding on the 350 meter mixed running section of the Newcastle light rail track on Scott Street, following a safety review released by Transport New South Wales.

The review has raised the risk-rating of cyclists tyres getting caught in the tracks to "intolerable", an upgrade from the findings of initial safety audits which deemed the risk as "medium or high".

The report recommends eight actions to be completed within the next twelve months to improve safety including,"installing appropriate signage to warn cyclists of the risk" and for "Transport NSW to work with the City of Newcastle to provide alternate routes."

Transport NSW has said they will additionally investigate emerging technologies which could be trialed to increase safety.

Following the death of cyclist, Danny Egan in July this year, calls have been made to rapidly improve safety for cyclists in Newcastle's CBD.

Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp is calling on the Liberal Government to prioritize the funding and building of a safe east-west route for cyclists.

"In the immediate sense getting people off that cycle way is legitimate, however they need to put the resources and the time into working with council to get a solution as soon as possible for the East-West cycle way," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"It simply not good enough to take them off then not provide money and fund the East-West cycle way."

Mr Crakanthorp says the State Government failed to consider cyclists in their revitalization of the CBD.

"They made a public image of lots of cycle ways, but they didn't put any money into any. We don't have any effectively, and tragically people are getting injured and we've even had someone die," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"People were breaking their bones and people were falling of bikes, according to the report they weren't registered however it was certainly in the public sphere and the Government have acted too little too late."

    Image Source: Lakes Mail

Former Train Station Overhaul Announced

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

The site of Newcastle's former train station is set to reopen this June, with plans launched for it's upcoming overhaul.

Renamed as 'The Station', the site will be temporarily activated by Renew Newcastle over an eighteen month period in an attempt to trial ideas and plans for future use.

The Hunter Development Corporation is working in cooperation with a local designer to style the space, drawing inspiration from its architectural heritage- including an outline of the historic Eastern Pavillion that addresses Scott Street.

The temporary operation will help to determine what the public wants out of the former station, as the first step in a permanent re-purposing of the space.