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New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland Community Consultation Report
May 2020
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 2
Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 1.1. Background .............................................................................................. 3 1.2. The proposal ............................................................................................ 3
2 Consultation approach .......................................................................................... 4 2.1 Consultation objectives ............................................................................. 4 2.2 Values ...................................................................................................... 4 2.3 How consultation was done ...................................................................... 4
3 Consultation summary .......................................................................................... 6 3.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 6 3.2 Recommendations .................................................................................. 12 3.3 Next steps .............................................................................................. 12
Appendix A ........................................................................................... 13 Appendix B ........................................................................................... 15 Appendix C ........................................................................................... 16
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 3
1 Introduction
1.1. Background
Transport for NSW is planning to deliver traffic improvements for the New England Highway, Church Street and Cessnock Road roundabout at Maitland.
The traffic improvements will:
improve traffic flow and reduce travel times on the New England Highway during the afternoon peak
increase the traffic efficiency of the roundabout and is expected to significantly reduce westbound queues and delays for westbound motorists during the afternoon peak
The first stage of work, to install traffic lights on the eastbound approach to the roundabout, was completed in October 2019. This initial work has reduced westbound queues by around 150 metres, which is in line with Transport for NSW’s traffic modelling. Work has also been completed to widen Cessnock Road.
Consultation for the second stage of work was carried out in November 2019.
1.2. The proposal
The proposal for the second stage of work includes:
installing traffic lights on the Church Street approach to the roundabout to manage traffic flow during busy times
modifying the roundabout to provide two through lanes from Church Street to Cessnock Road. This extra through lane would increase the capacity of the roundabout by allowing more vehicles to move through the roundabout
providing two right lanes into Cessnock Road for eastbound traffic on the New England Highway
building a new cycle path to separate eastbound cyclists from the roundabout.
Traffic modelling has indicated the second stage of work will increase the traffic efficiency of the roundabout and will reduce westbound queues and delay times for westbound motorists significantly during the afternoon peak.
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 4
2 Consultation approach
2.1 Consultation objectives
We consulted with the community and key stakeholders on the proposal to:
inform the community and stakeholders of the proposal and possible impacts
seek feedback on the proposal and issues of concern for consideration in developing the detailed design and method of construction. The feedback will be incorporated into the environmental impact assessment known as the review of environmental factors (REF)
build a database of interested and concerned community members with whom we can continue to engage with during the proposal’s development.
2.2 Values
Our values underpin our decisions and behaviours when working with customers, colleagues, stakeholders and partners.
Customer focus - We place the customer at the centre of everything we do
Collaboration - We value each other and create better outcomes by working together
Solutions - We deliver sustainable and innovative solutions to NSW’s transport needs
Integrity - We take responsibility and communicate openly
Safety - We prioritise safety for our people and our customers.
2.3 How consultation was done
We consulted with the community in November 2019 on the concept design. Community members were encouraged to provide their feedback, leave comments and make submissions via mail, email or phone contact with the project team or by filling out an online survey. Our key consultation tools are listed below:
Table 1
Project Notification Delivered via mail to 1300 residents and stakeholders in the Maitland area.
Emailed to the freight network, emergency services and Maitland City Council.
A copy of the project notification is available at Appendix A.
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Media release A media release was issued on Monday 2 December to local media outlets by the office of Chris Gulaptis, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure
A copy of the media release is available at Appendix B.
Webpage Project website updated on Tuesday 29 November.
The webpage can be found at nswroads.work/maitland
Newspaper advertisement A newspaper advertisement was published in the Maitland Mercury on Monday 2 December. The advertisement encouraged readers to provide feedback.
A copy of the newspaper advertisement is available at Appendix C.
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3 Consultation summary
3.1 Overview
Comments on the proposed upgrade closed on Friday 13 December, with 130 submissions received about a range of issues. Some submissions included multiple comments and raised multiple issues.
The feedback received in formal submissions raised a number of issues including concerns about the design of the proposal, additional delays, increased congestion and impacts to local road network. Some issues were also raised concerning the surrounding road network and flooding, which are outside the scope of the project.
After considering all responses, along with the proposal’s aims and design requirements, we have decided to proceed with the project. We have responded directly to all written comments.
Issue category
Number of submissions
Issues raised
Support for proposal
9 Supportive of proposed improvements
Thank you for your support of the proposal.
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Design of the proposal
9 Suggestion to fully signalise roundabout
A number of options were considered to determine an effective traffic management solution.
Traffic modelling carried out shows the proposal is expected to reduce delay times for westbound motorists by around 80 per cent during afternoon peak hours.
The lane configuration changes at the roundabout will also increase the capacity of the roundabout and allow more motorists to travel through the roundabout during each traffic light phase.
When these improvements have been completed, a westbound flyover will not be required as westbound queuing and delays will be significantly reduced.
Transport will continue to monitor traffic volumes and land use in the Maitland area.
1 The proposed design is confusing
The design of the proposal is consistent with other signalised roundabouts in the Lower Hunter area.
The design complements the first stage of work which was completed in October 2019 and involved installing traffic lights on the eastbound approach to the roundabout.
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1 Improvements do not address traffic queues during the morning peak on Cessnock Road.
Work to widen Cessnock Road was completed in early 2020.
This work involved extending the left lane on Cessnock Road by around 100 metres to near the U-turn bay.
This will improve traffic flow and reduce the queue length on Cessnock Road in the morning peak by providing additional lane capacity for traffic traveling through the roundabout to Church Street.
1 Suggestion to keep left lane from Church Street as left turn only.
In order to provide two through lanes from Church Street, the left lane needs to become a through/left lane.
This will allow more vehicles to move through from Church Street during each traffic light phase.
Motorists wanting to travel east on the highway could also exit the Maitland CBD via High Street.
1 Suggestion to install traffic lights on the westbound approach to the roundabout
The aim of this project is to reduce westbound queues and delays on the highway during the afternoon peak.
Partially signalising the roundabout will allow westbound motorists to move freely through the roundabout to improve traffic flow, while still managing traffic on the eastbound approach to the roundabout and from Church Street.
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Traffic impacts on other roads
14 Proposed improvements will result in traffic congestion on Church Street during the afternoon peak.
We will be increasing the capacity of the roundabout by providing two through lanes from Church Street to Cessnock Road.
This will allow more vehicles to move through from Church Street during each traffic light phase.
We are also investigating an option to potentially extend the two lanes over the rail bridge.
Maitland City Council is also working in the Maitland CBD to make improvements to the local road network.
5 Traffic congestion on Church Street will cause queuing on the roundabout.
Due to the local road network in Maitland CBD, queuing on Church Street during the morning peak may still occur.
Maitland City Council is working in the Maitland CBD to make improvements to the local road network.
2 Concerns about the use of Maitland Park as a rat run
Transport for NSW is aware of motorists using Maitland Park as an alternative route to travelling through the roundabout.
The proposal addresses this problem by improving traffic flow and reducing delays for westbound motorists by around 80 per cent during the afternoon peak.
1 Proposed improvements will increase traffic using High Street to travel east to the New England Highway.
We will be increasing the capacity of the roundabout by providing two through lanes from Church Street to Cessnock Road.
This will help move more motorists through to Cessnock Road. High Street is a comparable alternate route for motorists travelling east.
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Timing for work
3 Urgent need for traffic signals on Church Street as soon as possible
The Church Street traffic lights will be installed as part of the Stage two work. Stage two is expected to start in the second half of 2020.
Flooding 1 Concerns about emergency vehicle response times due to the highway being flood prone.
Flood immunity work is outside the scope of this project and available funding. The proposed stage two work will not increase flooding on the highway.
Does not support the proposal
43 Proposal only offers a temporary solution to traffic issues.
Traffic modelling has indicated the second stage of work will increase the traffic efficiency of the roundabout and will reduce westbound queues and delay times for westbound motorists significantly during the afternoon peak.
The improvements will provide travel time benefits in the short term with work starting in the second half of 2020. While the traffic modelling shows the upgraded roundabout will continue to operate effectively into the future.
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72 Request for a Westbound flyover instead of improvements to the roundabout.
A number of options were considered to determine an effective traffic management solution.
Traffic modelling carried out shows the proposal is expected to reduce delay times for westbound motorists by around 80 per cent during afternoon peak hours.
The lane configuration changes at the roundabout will also increase the capacity of the roundabout and allow more motorists to travel through the roundabout during each traffic light phase.
The preferred option can be delivered in the short term, during the second half of 2020, and will have no impacts to surrounding properties or Maitland Park.
The improvements will provide travel time benefits for road users sooner, while the traffic modelling shows the upgraded roundabout will continue to operate effectively into the future.
When these improvements have been completed, a westbound flyover will not be required as westbound queuing and delays will be significantly reduced.
Transport will continue to monitor traffic volumes and land use in the Maitland area.
Other issues raised but not specific to the proposed upgrade included:
speed of motorists using Maitland Park as a rat run
need for better infrastructure to cope with growing population in Maitland
traffic congestion and queuing at the Church and Railway Street roundabout
increased traffic from development at Gillieston Heights.
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3.2 Recommendations
Based on the feedback received, we will be proceeding with further development of
the project.
We will work closely with local residents and stakeholders in relation to the potential impacts of this project. We will do this by:
Informing the community and stakeholders of consultation outcomes and the next steps for the proposal via publication of this report
Ensuring community and stakeholder comments and suggestions are considered when finalising the detailed design
Continuing to carry out communication activities as the project progresses and informing the community through the Transport for NSW website and project notifications.
3.3 Next steps
We have considered all submissions and will ensure our project team is aware of concerns raised by the community. We will ensure that issues highlighted by the community and stakeholders are appropriately addressed when finalising the detailed design.
We will continue to keep the community informed as the project progresses.
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Appendix A
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 14
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 15
Appendix B
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 16
Appendix C
New England Highway traffic improvements, Maitland – May 2020 17
May 2020
20.190
ISBN: 978-1-922338-77-8
