16 March 2000 Edition
Safe Crossing
Residents of Dunmurray Lane in Belfast have forced the Department of the Environment to backtrack on a decision not to put a pelican crossing at an accident black spot near their homes.
Having refused residents' demands for years the DOE said on Tuesday 14 March, just days after protesting residents occupied its Clarence House headquarters, that a crossing would now be put in place.
Last month, 14- year old schoolgirl Laura Vernon was killed while crossing the road. In 1985, Louise Vernon, a sister of Laura's, was injured but survived a similar accident. There have been numerous other accidents in which children have been injured but the DoE had no record of these incidents, as they rely on the RUC to provide them with accident reports.
Councillor Paul Butler said that the RUC's attitude to road safety in the area was abysmal and failing to pass on information is putting children's lives at risk. The RUC have consistently opposed traffic calming measures in the area.
Having refused residents' demands for years the DOE said on Tuesday 14 March, just days after protesting residents occupied its Clarence House headquarters, that a crossing would now be put in place.
Last month, 14- year old schoolgirl Laura Vernon was killed while crossing the road. In 1985, Louise Vernon, a sister of Laura's, was injured but survived a similar accident. There have been numerous other accidents in which children have been injured but the DoE had no record of these incidents, as they rely on the RUC to provide them with accident reports.
Councillor Paul Butler said that the RUC's attitude to road safety in the area was abysmal and failing to pass on information is putting children's lives at risk. The RUC have consistently opposed traffic calming measures in the area.