New figures from the PSNI show that between January 2023 and December 2025, 25 people were injured in road traffic collisions locally- including three who were seriously injured.

Councillor Harpur has said: “Three people seriously injured and over 20 more hurt are not just statistics. These figures reflect real incidents that are happening on roads people use every day.

“What’s particularly worrying is the repeated pattern of trouble at the same junctions, such as at Saintfield Road and Ballynahinch Road – some of Carryduff’s busiest routes, as well as the recording of more than 1,700 speeding offences in the same time period, all of which points to long-standing safety concerns.

“Residents will rightly ask why, when this pattern has been emerging for some time, we are still waiting on meaningful progress. There has been unacceptable delay around the delivery of public realm improvements, and continued hesitance from the Department for Infrastructure when it comes to introducing additional safety measures.

“We cannot keep pointing to process while people’s lives are being put at risk. There needs to be urgency, whether that is progressing long-promised public realm works, or taking practical steps now to improve safety at known problem locations.

“This is about leadership and prioritising safety. The data is clear, the concerns are well known, and the time for action is now – not after something more tragic happens.”