Streets as Shared Spaces Trial Activation, Darby Street

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The Darby Street, Streets as Shared Spaces (SaSS) Trial aims to improve the outdoor dining experience in this popular area, as well as improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The six-month trial which began on 29 September 2022, has allowed for footpath widening between Sanctum and Goldbergs restaurants, by installing a temporary wooden dining platform, made from environmentally friendly materials over existing car parking spaces.

The temporary loss of these and other car parking spaces in the area has been offset by converting 32 existing paid all day parking behind the Newcastle Library into free, 2 hour parking spaces during the trial. Convenient drop-off /pick-up zones near the shops and eateries, have also been installed.

The trial has been made possible with a $500,000 grant from the NSW State Government through the Streets as Shared Spaces program (Round 2). The program funds trials that support immediate community needs and test and build the case for more permanent changes that positively impact local economies and community health and wellbeing.

Find out more on the Darby Street SaSS Trial in our answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Key features of the trial:

Improved safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists with the installation of traffic calming infrastructure to reduce driver speeds.
New paving, lighting and public art including murals to inject new life into the Headphones Courtyard.
A new pedestrian crossing to improve accessibility and safety.
Extended outdoor dining space and widened footpath between Sanctum and Goldbergs restaurants.
A mobile trailer parklet providing additional seating