Collean  Hawkins said a family from Darwin became stuck in the water on Tuesday night when their vehicle failed to stop before plunging into the water.

She said a semi-trailer had driven through the water earlier in the week and was blocked in by concrete barriers Cessnock City Council had erected until personnel came to move them.

Another vehicle took a detour through Avery’s Lane, only to discover it was a no-through road, and became bogged when he tried to turn around.

“People need details of detours to take, especially non-locals,” she said.

“Having a sign half-way down the hill saying there is water over the road isn’t enough because people don’t take any notice of them.

“They need flashing signs or something like that and details of an alternate route.

“At least Cessnock Council put concrete barriers across the road, Maitland Council only put a sign half-way down the hill.”

Ms Hawkins has lived in Testers Hollow for 40 years and said a lot of people would not know where it was.

“If the closure of the road through Testers Hollow was broadcast a lot of people wouldn’t know where it was,” she said.

Ms Hawkins said the road would be a major thoroughfare to the Hunter Expressway when it was opened in December and heavy rain posed a threat to easy travel through the area.

She said the road needed to be built up.

“With the new subdivisions in Gillieston Heights and more people using the road there’s no doubt that the road needs to be built up,” she said.

Maitland City Council was contacted for comment but had not responded by the time the Mercury went to print.