Speaking in the Assembly, Miss McAllister said: “I’ve been delighted to work alongside Ashgrove Primary School's council to highlight the urgent need for a safe pedestrian crossing at Ashgrove roundabout to protect local school children and the public.
“It’s been great to witness young people engaged in making their community a better place for everyone, and the determination of the pupils to make the pedestrian crossing a reality has been inspiring to see and emphasises its urgency.
“I had the opportunity to experience the dangers local school children encounter on their commute when the pupils from Ashgrove Primary School invited me to walk to school with them one morning. It was shocking to see school children are risking their lives dashing across the busy road at Ashgrove roundabout to get an education.
“Yet, the Department for Infrastructure insists that installing a pedestrian crossing would disrupt traffic in the area. They also state that budget constraints make this project a low priority, especially since there have been no accidents, injuries, or fatalities reported as a result of the current situation.
“The safety of our children is of utmost importance, and children should not have to put themselves in harm’s way when travelling to and from school. It should not have to take a tragic incident to occur to spur action.
"I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to sign the petition to help make their journeys safer. It's now time for the Minister for Infrastructure and their Department to take urgent action to protect young people during busy times on this road before a tragic incident occurs.”
“It’s been great to witness young people engaged in making their community a better place for everyone, and the determination of the pupils to make the pedestrian crossing a reality has been inspiring to see and emphasises its urgency.
“I had the opportunity to experience the dangers local school children encounter on their commute when the pupils from Ashgrove Primary School invited me to walk to school with them one morning. It was shocking to see school children are risking their lives dashing across the busy road at Ashgrove roundabout to get an education.
“Yet, the Department for Infrastructure insists that installing a pedestrian crossing would disrupt traffic in the area. They also state that budget constraints make this project a low priority, especially since there have been no accidents, injuries, or fatalities reported as a result of the current situation.
“The safety of our children is of utmost importance, and children should not have to put themselves in harm’s way when travelling to and from school. It should not have to take a tragic incident to occur to spur action.
"I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to sign the petition to help make their journeys safer. It's now time for the Minister for Infrastructure and their Department to take urgent action to protect young people during busy times on this road before a tragic incident occurs.”