A new 400-metre footpath is set to provide pedestrians in Jesmond a safer stroll in Janet Street.

The updated path in front of the Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus is part of City of Newcastle’s plans for the 2020/21 financial year, which anticipates the construction of more than two kilometres of new footpath.

The school’s 700 students are set to benefit from safer trips to and from campus as the $800,000 project replaced previously unpaved sections of nature reserve.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the footpath upgrade will improve the accessibility and liveability of the suburb.

“City of Newcastle maintains nearly 1,000 kilometres of footpath across the local government area, which is roughly the distance between Newcastle and Melbourne,” she said.

“This Janet Street upgrade is a significant project which is going to be great for those at Callaghan College and importantly, many residents in this busy part of Jesmond.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen also believed the upgrade will be very beneficial for pedestrians and other road users alike.

“Our focus is on improving public safety through infrastructure such as more pedestrian refuges and crossings particularly in high traffic areas such as school zones,” Cr Clausen said.

“It’s great to see these works now complete at Jesmond and I hope it makes life easier for the students and teachers who walk or ride scooters or skateboards to school every day.”

Callaghan College Principal Roger Macey echoed this sentiment and said the new path will make it safer for the broader school community.

“The footpath and pedestrian crossing right in front of the school will no doubt make a difference to everyone who comes to Callaghan College, not just our students and teachers,” he said.

“These are significant improvements which will be great for us.”

For more information about pedestrian and traffic improvement projects visit the City of Newcastle website.