Maitland City Council sought feedback on the concept plan from business people at a meeting at Morpeth School of Arts yesterday, with a view that works would begin in this financial year.

The meeting came after the concept was unveiled at a Morpeth Business Association meeting last week.

Council assets manager Chris McGrath said the council also wanted to meet with business people to discuss how the works could be undertaken with the least disruption to the street.

“The project includes road pavement construction; kerb and gutter work, which is really expensive because they are big blocks, they’re heavy to move and there has to be an archaeologist on site,” he said.

“The other thing is footpaths. We need to improve those as well, and they also have the same kind of heritage issues.

“There’s going to be a 40km/h speed zone through Swan Street, which is long overdue.

“There’s also street furniture renewal – we’ll be looking at street seats and putting a few touristy things with flag poles and banners.

“It’s about making the area safe for the people.

“The roads weren’t designed for modern traffic, and some of the sandstone dates from the 1840s and 1850s.”

Funding for the project came from the Roads to Recovery program, Roads and Maritime Services regional road allocations and the council’s capital works program.

The upgrade to Swan Street is also one of the projects nominated in the special rate variation.

The council is also embarking on a community consultation phase for a road reconstruction and footpath refurbishment at Belmore Road, Lorn, and Lawes Street, East Maitland.

A stakeholders meeting will be held at Hunter River Hotel on February 22 from 5.30pm to 7pm.