Road Tragedy Recalled At City Centre Safety Summit

Just weeks after a tragic bus accident claimed the life of a teenage girl who was crossing a main road in the centre of Belfast, the Northern Ireland Roads Minister Conor Murphy has held a mini 'summit' to discuss the issue of traffic management and road safety within Belfast City Centre.

The Sinn Fein Minister met with his Executive colleagues - the SDLP's Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie and Environment Minister Sammy Wilson, (DUP).

After the meeting, Minister Murphy said: "I am aware of recent public concerns about traffic within the city centre and I will take forward any issues from a roads and public transport perspective as previously stated.

"However, this is a complex and crucially important issue that we must get right since what we do now will have a significant effect on the way that the city centre operates and develops in the future.

"I have therefore invited those departments with responsibility, including DSD and DOE to consider this at Ministerial level in terms of general road safety and urban street design.

"We now have a basis on which we can go forward with a review of the traffic management proposals for Belfast City Centre," he said.

The review, which will involve all three departments, is expected to be completed by the end of May.

It will reconsider the emerging plan for traffic management within the city centre, placing a high priority on safety, to ensure that it best meets the needs of the various user groups including traders, pedestrians and public transport provision.

Social Development Minister Margaret Richie, who is responsible for the regeneration of the city centre said: "My department, through the 'Belfast: Streets Ahead' programme, which is renewing the main shopping streets, is working with city centre stakeholders to ensure that this programme contributes to a more attractive, welcoming and safe environment for those who work, visit and shop in downtown Belfast."

Minister Sammy Wilson, who is responsible for road safety, said: "There have been a number of serious road safety incidents in the city centre in recent months, culminating in the tragic death of teenager Ciara Park in November.

"It is essential that any changes to traffic management reflect the need to ensure the highest standards of safety for all road users while balancing the need to maintain the vibrancy of the city centre."

Sixteen-year-old Ciara Park died after being struck by a bus at Royal Avenue, near the junction with High Street and Donegall Place.

The St Dominic's Grammar School pupil had been shopping with her father and brother before being knocked-down.

She died later, despite frantic efforts to first free her from the crash scene and then treat her injuries.

See: Police Appeal After Tragic Teen Bus Fatality

(BMcC/JM)