Earlier this week a child was knocked down while leaving summer scheme in the area
Earlier this week, a child was knocked down while leaving a summer scheme in West Belfast. The youth club hosting the scheme have spent years calling for road safety measures to be implemented along the road to reduce accidents.
The spot outside Glen Parent Youth Club on the Suffolk Road has been described as a “danger hotspot” and over the years has been the scene of many accidents. In recent weeks, there have been several incidents involving young children.
The collision on Monday, July 6, saw a child being taken to hospital, with local representatives saying it’s only a matter of time before there is a fatality at the site.
Issues raised include people speeding along the busy road, as well as cars frequently parking along the double yellow lines to drop off and pick up at the youth centre, or to visit other local businesses.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Paul Niblock, youth manager at Glen Parent Youth Centre, said hundreds of young people attend the centre each day for the youth centre, summer schemes, or their day care. He is calling for measures to be taken to calm traffic along the road.
“We’ve been calling for the past five years for change. All we’re asking for is the Department for Infrastructure to call out, sit with us, and organise a plan to put in place before another major incident takes place here,” Paul said.
“Just the other day a child coming from the summer scheme was knocked down crossing the road, as he had to go between cars parked on the double yellow lines out the front of the building.”
As for measures they would like to see, Paul said they have proposed putting railings in place along the footpath, reducing the speed limit, or implementing a road crossing.
“We have put a number of different proposals to the DfI and unfortunately they have all been knocked back,” he said.
“There are a few different options, there could be the implementation of railings as you see further down the road, you could reduce the speed to 20 mph outside the youth centre, you could put in traffic signals telling people to slow down.
“This is a youth centre, a day care, a community centre, a summer scheme; we have hundreds of children attending here each day. I can’t get my head around why they won’t put some form of traffic calming measure in place along this road.
“We need to get this sorted before there’s another incident, or major fatality along this road.”
Independent councillor for the area, Paul Doherty, has been supporting the youth centre in calling for traffic calming measures to be put in place. He said the area has been “neglected” over the years.
“A child was struck last week on the road here while a summer scheme was taking place. The reason that happened was the fact people were parked on double yellow lines. There has been a very real neglect of safety measures in this area,” Paul said.
“We were speaking to a lady here today who said she protested on this very road 30 years ago for the same reason. When I talk about neglect, that’s what I mean. The DfI have work to do.
“The message loud and clear here is to keep our children safe, implement measures that keep our children safe, measures that will prevent loss of life. Believe me, we will lose a life on this road unless they act, and they need to act quickly.”
Paul said it is “frustrating” that they have been asking for changes along the road for years, with no hope in sight as of yet.
He said: “This is one of the largest youth centres in West Belfast and there’s no crossing here whatsoever. There’s no signage, no speed reduction measures here whatsoever.
“I’m quite frustrated in the response from the DfI, we got an acknowledgement email; they provided more detail to Belfast Live than they’ve provided the youth centre, who have had serious concerns for years.
“We need action on this road before a child is killed. A family could have very much been preparing for a funeral here as a result of inaction on this road. We need to see change happen as quickly as possible.”
A DfI spokesperson said: “With regard to unlawful parking, Traffic Attendants have been instructed to undertake periodic enforcement visits over the coming weeks, with the aim of improving compliance and discouraging inappropriate parking practices.
“In light of the recent safety concerns raised, officials will arrange a meeting with the elected representatives involved to discuss the matter further.”
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