BY IAN CROUCH
Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery has raised the issue of the traffic gridlock at the John Hunter Hospital in parliament as calls continue for a full interchange to be built to connect the hospital with the proposed 5th stage of Newcastle Inner City Bypass.
Frustrated staff and patients say it can take up to an hour to negotiate the traffic around the main entrance to the hospital in Lookout Road.
Plans put forward by Roads and Maritime Services only allow for motorists travelling to and from the north to use the interchange.
Sonia Hornery says she’s written to the Hunter New England Local Health District, the Ministers for Roads and Health and Roads and Maritime Services but is yet to receieve a response.
“Staff
and paramedics are concerned that because the roads around the Hospital are so
congested, that ambulances are being delayed in getting critically ill patients
to the Emergency Department.” and “The
problem would be eased greatly by the Minister for Roads ensuring a full
interchange is built as part of Stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass,” she said.
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Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery |