A Wheelie Good Outcome For The Islington Community
- intouch Magazine
- Jun 19
- 2 min read

Children and the wider community will find it safer and easier to walk and cycle in Newcastle following the completion of the Islington Cycleway project this month.
“As a passionate supporter of active transport, I’m incredibly excited to announce the completion of these upgrades which have delivered massive safety and accessibility improvements for our community,” said Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.
Highlights of the project include the creation of a two-way cycleway along the north side of Chinchen Street between Linden Street and the east side of Styx Creek bridge; new connections into the existing shared path at the Clyde Street traffic signals; and a new raised priority crossing on Hubbard Street which runs across John Hooker Street.
Earlier this year a new shared footpath, stretching 150 metres around the perimeter of Islington Public School, Chinchen Street and Hubbard Street, was created as part of the project.
New pram ramps, an upgraded school driveway and an upgraded footpath along the southern side of Chinchen Street, between the Clyde Street intersection and the Styx Creek bridge, were also delivered as part of the cycleway improvements.
“This cycleway directly addresses our community’s need for safe and accessible active transport routes to encourage children and families to get out of their cars and onto a bike,” Mr Crakanthorp said.
The 665-metre stretch of new shared path, footpath and cycleway completes several missing active transport links. The upgrades now mean there is a protected cycling route (a combination of on-road separated cycleways and off-road shared pathways) from the Scholey Street rail bridge in Mayfield through to Islington Park, past Islington Public School and the local TAFE in Tighes Hill and on to the city centre.
Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Ross Kerridge, said the project marks an important step towards building safer, more connected travel routes for all members of the community. “We need to take cycling seriously and this means safer, better connected and more convenient infrastructure for both cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
“The Islington Cycleway will benefit everyone, and importantly it will make it safer for children and TAFE students to ride and walk to school,” Cr Kerridge added. “It demonstrates our commitment to building a more connected, active and sustainable Newcastle.”
The safety and accessibility upgrades were delivered by the City of Newcastle through a $950,000 grant from the NSW Government.
“I took this $950,000 commitment to the election and I am so pleased to see this cycleway completed and accessible to the whole community,” Mr Crakanthorp said.