The Minister for Regional Development has confirmed that a crash barrier removed from the Malone Road in September 2014 will be replaced before the end of March.

The removal of the crash barrier became of critical importance when in October of the same year, 18-year-old Enda Dolan was killed after a vehicle mounted the footpath.

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SDLP Belfast Councillor Declan Boyle said: "Considering the dangerous stretch of road and the heavy pedestrian traffic in the area we are extremely lucky that this announcement did not follow another tragedy.

"Unfortunately its replacement comes too late for Enda Dolan whose life could have been saved if adequate road safety measures had been in place. While I welcome this belated move by the Minister there are still serious questions as to why it was removed."

(CD/JP)