‘Junction is a death trap’

One mother, whose son attends King’s Park Primary School, said she was “deeply worried” about the dangers at the busy junction.

“The traffic flow is very heavy and there are hundreds of children crossing there every day,” she said.

“Somebody is going to be killed if nothing is done about it. I have no doubt about that.

“We need another zebra crossing or a pelican crossing.

“Children are even crossing the road at the roundabout. It’s only a matter of time before someone is knocked down.

“Who will take responsibility when someone is injured or killed? Surely it’s better to prevent it happening in the first place?”

DUP councillor Carla Lockhart said residents on the Banbridge Road and the Gilford Road contacted her on the matter.

“Having been contacted by a number of people regarding this road junction and the dangers for pedestrians, I have submitted a request to Road Service to assess it for pedestrian crossing measures,” she said.

“Constituents are rightly concerned that there is a possibility of a serious accident in that vicinity.

“I would therefore call on Road Service to take proactive action in the implementation of measures for crossing purposes before something serious does happen.”

She added: “There is no point in looking at this after a fatality, instead it is important to take action immediately.”

A DRD Roads Service spokesperson said: “Roads Service has just received a request from a local councillor for a pedestrian crossing at Banbridge Road/Gilford Road/Flush Place.

“A survey will be organised in due course.”