Belfast Councillor Confronts Stormont Over Delayed Road Crossing

A Belfast councillor has challenged officials from Stormont over the prolonged delay in constructing a road crossing on Knockbreda Road, describing the situation as a “pantomime.” Local Lisnasharragh SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite confronted representatives from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) during their annual presentation at Belfast City Hall this week. The crossing has been pending for nearly five years since the initial request was made in early 2021.

During the meeting, councillors and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) voiced their frustration regarding the slow approval process for what they believe is a straightforward infrastructure project. The proposed puffin crossing aims to enhance safety near Cherryvale Playing Fields, yet the necessary construction has yet to commence despite prior agreements.

Earlier in 2023, the DfI demanded another consultation regarding the crossing. However, council members argue that sufficient discussions have already taken place, and they believe that a minority of residents’ concerns—primarily related to car parking—are hindering progress.

At a special meeting of the Belfast Council City Growth and Regeneration Committee on November 26, Councillor de Faoite expressed his exasperation. He stated, “I understand there are resource problems within the department, but we are getting to the point where even the minister’s private office is coming back saying they are not receiving responses to issues. It is becoming incredibly frustrating for us to go back to constituents.”

The councillor highlighted the conflicting messages from various officials, which have left residents feeling disillusioned. “The confused and mixed messages… lead me to despair,” he continued. “When are we getting our crossing? Because we are sick of waiting.”

In response, a DfI official acknowledged the delays and apologized for the inconvenience. The representative explained that an unforeseen planning permission for a widened access to a nearby house necessitated a redesign of the crossing. “That has meant we had to redesign it, not a complete redesign, but it is to make sure it can still fit in the space we had intended,” the official stated, adding that they hope to have the design ready in the next few months.

Councillor de Faoite pressed further, questioning whether the DfI had been consulted on the planning application. The official conceded that while they may have been consulted, the departments involved were often not aligned. “It happens on both sides,” the DfI officer admitted.

The councillor expressed frustration at the ongoing delays, emphasizing the importance of the crossing for community safety. “If this was built when it was first promised, that particular issue would never have arisen,” he said. “The funds we had identified to pay for it have now disappeared. The latest one MLA was told is that this is now sitting fourth on the list, so it could be another four years before it is constructed.”

De Faoite characterized the situation as a “pantomime,” underscoring the growing impatience of local residents. He insisted that the department must prioritize the crossing due to the significant safety concerns in an area populated with children and schools. “We had residents out on the street a couple of Saturdays ago, there were about 40 people turned up on a freezing cold November morning. That will continue,” he warned, reflecting the mounting frustration within the community.

The DfI official reiterated that the project remains a priority, but the timeline for completion remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how quickly the department can address the concerns raised by local leaders and move forward with the construction of this crucial road safety feature.