New drop kerbs that have been installed in the Belmont Road area of East Belfast have been praised for helping to improve access for young families, the elderly and disabled.
East Belfast Alliance representatives have welcomed the new installations after calling on the Department for Infrastructure to improve accessibility in the area following concerns from local residents.
There were issues in the area for families with young children, disabilities and the elderly due to uneven paving and kerbs which resulted in people falling or coming into difficulty.
Read more: Belfast Councillor calls for improved paving on busy street after elderly lady suffers fall
In recent weeks DfI has installed dropped kerbs and tactile paving at a number of crossing points along Belmont Road, Dundela Avenue, Dundela View and Wilgar Street.
Ormiston councillor Ross McMullan said: "The installation of dropped kerbs with tactile paving is something that Alliance has been calling for for sometime. I’m a parent of two young children so personally know how inaccessible the area is when using a pram. But on two occasions now I have personally witnessed older people falling as a result of trips on these streets and been in contact with DfI to raise my concerns.
"The installation of these features will go some way to making this busy high street and residential area an inclusive one with social and economic benefits for everyone However, ongoing accessibility concerns such as the quality of surfaces and physical access to shops as well as pavement parking continue. We will continue to work on these issues as well as our campaign to ensure every kerb and pavement are accessible for everyone."
East Belfast Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds said that installation of the new measures took several years of lobbying and hoped that they would be a great benefit to local residents and businesses.
He said: "The accessibility issues along Dundela and the Belmont Road have been raised with me in numerous meetings and conversations over the years, and I was grateful to DFI to call out and see the issues experienced by those using mobility scooters and prams.'
"The changes took several years of repeated lobbying and working directly with officials to find solutions to improve and enhance the area for everyone. I'm confident this will lead to benefits for residents and businesses alike."
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