Long anger at refusal for road crossing despite seven year school patrol vacancy

12.00.00am GMT Mon 6th Jan 2003

Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has expressed his anger at the refusal of the Roads Service to provide a pedestrian crossing at Rosetta Road, close to St Bernard's Primary School.

A vacancy for a crossing patrol person at this site has existed for almost seven years. Cllr Long said he was unhappy with the decision and will be asking the Department to provide details of the information upon which they have based their decision.

Cllr Long stated: "The case for a crossing at this site is overwhelming; hundreds of children have to cross this busy road on their way to and from St Bernard's, as well as Knockbreda Primary and High Schools."

"SEELB has been trying unsuccessfully for almost seven years to appoint a crossing patrol person at Rosetta Road, suggesting there are real concerns about child safety. These concerns are best illustrated by the fact that 400 people signed an Alliance petition asking for a crossing patrol person to be appointed as soon as possible last autumn."

"Traffic leaving the dual carriageway close to this point tends to be travelling at higher speeds and so any accidents are likely to be of a more serious nature. A crossing at this site would also help regulate the flow of traffic at the lower end of the road where traffic volumes make it very difficult for people to cross."

"I will continue to press for a change of heart from Roads Service as it is vital that more is done by the authorities to protect children going to school."

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