RUC blamed for traffic deaths
By Eoin O'Broin
Sinn Féin councillor for Poleglass, Michael Ferguson has called
on the RUC to publicly state if they are blocking the Department
of Environment's attempts to introduce traffic calming measures
in the area, just weeks after a young girl was killed in a
traffic accident on the Pantridge Road.
According to Ferguson, the RUC are objecting to the traffic
calming measures as they will inhibit the movement of their
patrols through the estate. The call has come amid increased
public concern regarding the number of accidents, particularly
involving joyriders.
Following the marked increase in joyriding which occurred over
the Christmas period last year, Sinn Féin councillors called a
major conference bringing together community workers, statutory
bodies, young people and concerned residents. A range of
proposals were made for traffic calming measures, including road
ramps, chicanes and zebra crossings, and a date for commencement
of work was released shortly afterwards.
However, last month the Department of Environment informed Wset
Belfast MP Gerry Adams that commencement of work was being
postponed until later in the year. Then at a meeting this week
between local councillors and the Department, it was revealed
that despite plans being approved by department officials and
funding being secured, the plans had to be scrapped following
objections from an unnamed ``agency''
Sinn Féin councillor Michael Ferguson told An Phoblacht that it
was clear from the meeting that the unnamed agency was the RUC.
``This is an alarming situation,'' he said, ``as it means that if
true the safety of our children is being placed after the wishes
of the RUC. It also means that the death of Jodie Nugent was no
accident. It was a direct result of the RUC's disregard for
people in the Poleglass area, and the DoE's willingness to
capitulate to their demands''.
Community groups are calling for an urgent meeting with the head
of the DoE to clarify the matter and Gerry Adams has written to
RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan asking him to explain whether the RUC
has been blocking the planned work, and why.
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