The petition was organised by A1 road safety campaigner Monica Heaney, who’s son died in a collision at the Halfway Road junction, which could have been prevented if the promised changes to the road layout had been implemented.

The Lagan Valley MLA said: “I was honoured to be able to arrange for Monica Heaney to deliver her petition to the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Infrastructure today.

“The A1, which connects Belfast to Dublin, is incredibly busy, carrying about 40,000 vehicles a day. It has seen 41 fatalities in 17 years. Driving on the road is often hazardous, partly due to short slip roads and vehicles having to turn right across the dual carriageway.

“Changes to correct the road layout were first announced in 2011, but shamefully, families who have lost loved ones on the road are still waiting for work to be carried out.”

Alliance representatives Cllr Joy Ferguson of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Cllr Gretta Thompson of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, have been at the forefront of the campaign for safety improvements on the road.

Cllr Ferguson added: “In partnership with Monica, we have presented this petition to the Permanent Secretary, directly bringing the voice of the public on this critical issue to the Department for Infrastructure.

“We are lobbying on behalf of all road users, and in particular those families who have been tragically and irreparably impacted by the clear dangers of the A1.

“Phase 2 of the redevelopment must be prioritised by the Department urgently, and a clear delivery path to achieving the upgrades communicated to the public. For the people who live, work, and regularly travel around and along the A1, further delays to Phase 2 must be avoided.”