Roadworks ramping up in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Construction works in Newcastle are being taken up a gear with night work going through until Wednesday this week.

The work is underway on Watt Street between Chruch and Scott Streets with the removal of asphalt and then the laying of the new road surface to be done through the night.

The noisy removal of asphalt will stop at 11pm.

It's all in preparation for the Newcastle 500, and Supercars Australia says it will be short-term pain for long-term gain with the upgrades set to benefit the city well into the future.

Supercars Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski said some of the underground infrastructure which is being replaced is more than a century old.

In addition, driveway and footpath upgrade works will continue during the day and Supercars Australia says they'll notify affected residents and businesses in advance if any access changes occur.

Parking in Newcastle's CBD could be getting worse

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The end is near for parking spaces in Newcastle's East End, as near as Monday in fact.

From next week 90 car spots in the East End will be slashed from being 12 hour zones to just two and four hours in a bid to increase the parking turnover and help both residents and businesses in the area find a carpark easier.

The spots set to be impacted include Nobby's Road, Stevenson Place, Telford Street, part of Scott Street and Parnell Place.

Eight-hour sections on Moroney Avenue and Scott Street will also be halved back to four-hour parking, while a 12-hour section of Scott Street will become parking for motorcycles.

Not only are parking hours being slashed, but fees will be in place until 9pm in some places including Parnell Place, parts of Scott Street, Nobbys Road, Stevenson Place and Telford Street. Other areas will be until 5pm.

Council say temporary long term parking will be made available on Wharf Road between Watt Street and Queens Wharf.

Supercars bring roadworks to Watt Street

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

Watt Street traffic will be diverted between Scott Street and Church Street from this Thursday due to proposed construction works.

Working hours will be between Monday to Friday 7am - 5pm and 8am - 1pm on Saturdays.

The works are associated with the Newcastle 500 and Newcastle City Council renewal works occurring across multiple locations in the east end of Newcastle.

Watt Street will remain open for local traffic only, maintained via King Street.

The diversion will enable works including the erection of temporary security fencing, utility relocations, electrical works and pipe laying

Events Manger for Coates Hire Newcastle 500, Kurt Sakzewski said the main bodies of the work will be completed by the end of August.

Traffic control and detour signage will be in place, ensuring the safety of residents, the public and workers.

Road closures across the east end of Newcastle.
 Source: Jarrod Melmeth

Signage, traffic control and detours will ensure safety of residents.
Source: Jarrod Melmeth

Child approached in Muswellbrook

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are appealing for assistance after a 7-year-old girl was approached by a man on Tuesday at around 3:45pm.

The girl was walking home from school on Scott Street when a man in a red hatchback pulled up alongside her trying to entice the girl into his vehicle before the girl refused and ran home to report it to the police.

Police have described the man as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 20 to 30 years old, with light-blue eyes and brown hair and was wearing a red striped shirt at the time.

The car is only described as a small red-coloured hatchback with scratches on the rear driver’s side panel and mirror.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to come forward and contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.