But the increase in traffic has created road safety concerns and inconvenience for nearby residents.

Cessnock City Council will investigate the establishment of a commuter carpark at Heddon Greta, and carpooling sites that may be needed as a direct result of the Hunter Expressway, while starting a dialogue with Roads and Maritime Services about the issue.

Ward D councillor Darrin Gray put forward the motion at Wednesday night’s council meeting.

Cr Gray said the increase in traffic and commuter activities in the area around the off-ramps have created safety issues for motorists and inconvenience for residents.

“Commuters are naturally car-pooling at the unestablished termination point of the old Stanford Road, in front of adjacent residences,” Cr Gray said.

“Commuters are crossing a very dangerous road on foot or making illegal turns to access the unformed parking area.”

Cr Gray said drivers are pulling off the expressway to go to the service centre and are making “dangerous illegal turns, turning into residential streets and private driveways and disturbing the local amenity”.

“Local residents have observed numerous near misses and incidences over time, with a fatality seeming almost inevitable,” he said.

“The establishment of a purpose-built commuter carpark with associated lighting and turning lane or roundabout is essential for community safety, supporting car-pooling, as well as restoring residential amenity.”

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson applauded the council for pursuing the carpark and said she would assist council in their efforts to lobby and apply for grant funding.

Ms Swanson raised the need for the carpark during her federal election campaign.

“It’s really important for the Heddon Greta residents,” she said.

“The other place that’s really critical is the John Renshaw Drive roundabout.

“There are a lot of cars being parked there too; it’s becoming a safety issue.”

State member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said he would pass the council resolution on to roads minister Duncan Gay.

Mr Barr said he appreciated the council’s ‘get-it-done’ approach, but that for the project to receive state funding it would have to figure in Roads and Maritime Services’ capital works program.

Nevertheless, Mr Barr said he would like to see the state government make a contribution to the project.

“The government has funded parking bays along the M1, and the Hunter Expressway should be no different,” he said.

“The expressway should be a fundamental responsibility for the State Government. It shouldn’t just be coming out of ratepayers’ pockets.”

Councillor Rod Doherty said the Kurri 2030 steering committee raised the issue of the need for a commuter carpark about five years ago, before the expressway was even built.

“The general manager should open up a dialogue with RMS,” he said.