Big increase in cyclists and pedestrians being knocked down in South Belfast

South Belfast People has obtained figures from the local District Policing Partnership which show a 52% increase in the rise of road traffic collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in South Belfast over the past 5 years.

Most experts say there is a direct link between this type of accident and traffic speeds. Ask anyone living in an urban area and they will be worried about traffic speeding through residential areas. The problem is particularly acute in South Belfast.

Speed bumps, chicanes and cameras have all been deployed to keep motorists at 30mph in built up areas yet the simple fact is that you still stand a one in five chance of being killed if hit by a vehicles travelling 30mph.

Drop the speed of impact to 20mph and the chances of surviving skyrocket (only one in forty chance of being killed).

We are asking people to support the 20s Plenty campaign to get the speed limit reduced to 20mph.

The big issues - survey results

Over 500 South Belfast residents have completed the South Belfast People community issues survey.

Respondents were asked to names the issues which most affect them. Here are the results so far:

Education & 11plus - 65%
Planning & over development - 56%
Traffic & speeding - 59%
Hate Crime & Sectarianism – 56%

Community Survey

If you live in South Belfast please take two minutes to complete this short community survey about the issues affecting people in this part of the city.


Click Here to take survey

Hate Crimes

SDLP representative for South Belfast Carmel Hanna has condemned the attack on the City Church where some of the Romanian community had been sheltering after fleeing their homes.
Mrs Hanna said; “We must all come together at this time to condemn this latest attack to show that this sort of behaviour is not going to be tolerated in our society so that we can isolate those who are responsible for the latest spate of attacks. It saddens me that most of the Romanians will be returning to Romania as it sends out a bad message whereby the perpetrators of these attacks have won. Whilst I acknowledge that we must respect the personal choice of those returning to Romania, this is not a solution to the problem in the long term, and we as political representatives must work together to combat racism in our society.”

SDLP Welcomes Holylands Forum

Carmel Hanna has welcomed the new Holyland’s Stakeholders Forum which was hosted by the Department of Employment and Learning in Malone House on May 7.

The Forum was attended by many agencies, representatives and local residents who brought to the floor various ideas and strategies with the intention of forming a unified approach to deal with the problems faced by residents and students in the area alike.

Key problems identified included the number of HMO properties in the area, the litter and refuse in the streets, availability of cheap alcohol, and the apparent lack of social and environmental responsibility exhibited by some living in the area.

Mrs Hanna said: “The forum represents a real opportunity for stakeholders in the Holyland’s to work together to try and find ways in which to combat the current problems in the area. I hope that today represents meaningful engagement with those in a position to make a difference to the area, and not just an exercise with no follow up. The Forum has agreed to meet again in September when we will hopefully have progressed in translating these ideas into affirmative action.”

SDLP condemns Holylands Hell

The behaviour of students rioting in the Holyland's has been roundly condemned by the SDLP in South Belfast. Local MP Alasdair McDonnell has called on Queens University, the University of Ulster and Belfast Metropolitan College to expel any student found to be involved in this anti-social behaviour.

This is a situation which has passed crisis point. Every year matters worsen and every year the response from the educational institutions is lacking.

Time for action from the univesities and the planning authorities.

Robberies

There have been a number of violent robberies in the South Belfast area. SDLP MLA Carmel Hanna has met police about this issue.