Being a resident of the area surrounding Kings Road at Dundonald in East Belfast, and a parent of children who attend local schools, I find myself deeply concerned about the safety of pedestrians, particularly our young ones. 

The traffic on Kings Road has markedly increased, the introduction of the bus lane on Newtownards Road this has diverted even more vehicles onto Kings Road, and this pressure will only intensify with new housing developments at Millmount and Ferndene, as well as the opening of the new Dundonald Ice Bowl (which already takes in 500,000 visitors a year).

Despite the Kings Road being a C-classified road, it now bears a heavy and growing burden of vehicles due to the recent traffic diversions from the Newtownards Road.

A key issue is the complete absence of pedestrian traffic lights for a stretch of 1.2km along Kings Road. This is especially concerning given the presence of two major schools in the area.

The lack of adequate pedestrian crossings and the absence of speed restrictions exacerbate the threat to pedestrian safety.

We urgently need clear and immediate action to address these safety concerns.

Installing Toucan pedestrian crossings at key points along the Kings Road (the ones that support bikes and pedestrians), for example at the junctions on Kings Link or Abbey Road or introducing traffic-calming measures could significantly alleviate the risks.

These actions are not merely suggestions but necessary steps to prevent any untoward incidents and enable breaks in the flow of traffic for locals to access the Kings Road itself.

Please consider signing this petition to urge the Belfast City Council and Stormont to prioritize and enhance pedestrian safety on Kings Road. 

Your support is crucial in safeguarding our community and ensuring the safety of all Kings Road users.

A letter to the council will be sent indicating the support shown here.