The intersection of Helen and Frederick streets reopened to traffic about a year ago after more than two years of works to upgrade the road and drainage, which Newcastle City Council said was done to "improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety".

But since the road works have been completed, resident Sophie Webber said there had been a growing number of collisions at the intersection, culminating in three crashes in five days over Christmas.

Ms Webber said there were two crashes on the corner on Christmas Eve. These were followed by a serious accident on December 28 between a motorcycle and a car, which police said resulted in the motorbike rider and pillion passenger being hospitalised.

"I sent out a message to my entire family saying please be careful," Ms Webber said. "It's definitely gotten worse.

"Every time we have an accident you see people rushing. You hear a thump and you know what's happened.

"Christmas seems to be a bad time.

"I put in a complaint form to the council. I don't know why nothing's been done before. They spent so much time fixing it up. Everyone I talk to mentions how dangerous it is."

A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council agreed that the holiday period was a bad time for crashes, but did not say if the council was aware of the issues at this particular intersection when asked.

"The Christmas/New Year period is traditionally one that sees an increase in car accidents," the spokesperson said. "It's important that motorists drive to not only the speed limit but also the weather conditions, especially in light of recent heavy rain.

"There are no further works scheduled at this time."

Ms Webber said she believed the issue was people travelling north on Frederick Street and turning right onto Helen Street.

For nine months of the road works, southbound traffic on Frederick Street was cut off at Helen Street, meaning those turning right from Frederick onto Helen had right of way. But the southbound approach has since reopened.

"They just cut across and don't giveway," she said.

"They come down from Scenic Drive and they think they have right of way."

Ms Webber would like to see the right hand turn from Frederick onto Helen street removed, and doesn't believe motorists should be able to drive across from Barr Street onto Helen Street in order to prevent more accidents from happening.

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