“What we are expecting people to do is take their lives in their hands to try and cross that road”
Belfast Council are to look at making a request for a Lagan Gateway pedestrian crossing across a dangerous curve on the Annadale Embankment.
At the August meeting of the council’s People and Communities Committee at City Hall on Tuesday (August 5), SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite made a successful proposal for the council to request a crossing from the Department of Infrastructure at Stormont. He said currently people are “taking their lives in their hands to try and cross that road.”
Councillor de Faoite said at the meeting: “I want to put on record my thanks to the officers of the council who have been working very diligently for a number of years in relation to the Lagan Gateway Project, of which the first phase was approximately worth five million pounds worth of investment, delivering a new bridge at Stranmillis, with all the associated works. It is a fantastic space.
READ MORE: Roll-out of new Belfast bin tagging system a “disaster” councillor says
READ MORE: Controversial decision to build social housing blocks at Havelock site held up by Stormont
“Now, we are moving towards phase two, which connects the greenway to Belvoir Forest Park. I think it is wonderful that we have such an incredible resource on our doorstep. I know that a number of councillors from Lisnasharragh and Balmoral have been contacted down the years by people wanting to see that resource is protected, in terms of access to nature, and also that we are doing our utmost to protect and preserve biodiversity.
“There is significant research that would suggest that more sustained access to nature, particularly for children and young people, the more likely they are to become people who will champion and uphold the protection of nature and biodiversity. So I think it is really important we can do all we can so that access is properly upheld.”
He added: “Unfortunately, when it comes to getting to the Lagan Gateway from my constituency, part of the problem is the speed and volume of traffic on Annadale Avenue and Annadale embankment.
“I have on a number of occasions throughout the years asked the Department of Infrastructure to address the issues on this particular junction, in terms of speed, in terms of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Unfortunately to date they haven’t taken up any of the calls for change.
“It is a very dangerous bend and turn, and at the moment what we are expecting people to do is take their lives in their hands to try and cross that road. So I am asking that the council formally supports a call for a pedestrian crossing there, and that we write to the Minister and the Active Travel Unit in DfI in relation to that, and that they recognise it is part of the overall enabling works around Phase Two of the Lagan Gateway. I am really excited about this phase, and I think the raised walkway will be a really special place, and I want to ensure people have safe access to it going forward.”
In June a new connecting greenway along the River Lagan in South Belfast was approved at City Hall, constituting Phase Two of the Lagan Gateway project. The development will consist of paths, a new elevated timber boardwalk, landscaping works including tree-planting, new cycle stands and seating.
The plan involves lands to the east of the River Lagan, between Lagan Gateway phase one and Belvoir Park Forest, running adjacent to the west of Belvoir Park Golf Club and approximately 120 metres to the east of Newtownbreda Water Treatment Plant, Galwally Ave, Belfast BT8. The applicant is Belfast City Council.
The Lagan Gateway Project aims to enhance connectivity along the River Lagan, and has been broken down into two phases. Phase One included a link bridge connecting Annadale Embankment and Lagan Meadows as well as a new boat lock at Stranmillis and a path linking Annadale embankment with Stranmillis.
The site for Phase Two comprises a section of land to the south of Phase One and will connect Lagan Meadows to Belvoir Forest Park. The overall length of the proposed new greenway will be approximately one kilometre.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
#Request #pedestrian #crossing #connect #Annadale #Lagan #Gateway #dangerous #bend
