Other News In Brief

Improvement Scheme To Start In Lisburn

A road improvement scheme is to begin on the Hillhall Road, at the junction with Glen Road, Lisburn.

Work is to start on 15 February, with completion expected in June 2016.

TransportNI has carefully programmed the works and traffic management arrangements to minimise any inconvenience to the public. However, lane restrictions will be in place during off-peak periods which may result in some localised delays and motorists should allow additional time for journeys on this route.

Portaferry Hotel To Re-Open

The Portaferry Hotel in Northern Ireland is to re-open its doors.

The hotel closed last year, however it is set to to open later this month.

Alliance Councillor Kellie Armstrong welcomed the news.

She said: "With the couple opening the hotel already business owners in the area, they have the drive and passion to promote Portaferry and help it develop further as a welcoming tourism destination.

"2016 is set to be a big year for Portaferry, with the Portaferry Sails and Sounds event, Gala Week, World Skiff Championships and so much more - hopefully including the reopening of Exploris."

Alliance Disappointed At Taxi Changes

Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo has said she is disappointed it has taken eight years to bring forward changes that affect the licensing of taxis.

The South Belfast MLA was speaking after Environment Minister Mark H Durkan announced the changes to be introduced in May.

Ms Lo said she supported the majority of the measures but believed they should have been introduced some time ago.

She said: "The Taxis Act 2008 enabled the legislation to make these changes. Therefore it is disappointing it took until 2016 before we saw movement on this issue. Whilst a period of time to allow the industry to prepare for the changes is understandable, eight years is far too long.

"In any big cities where taxis are an essential means of transport, people take it for granted they can hail them anywhere without having to book in advance or walk to a taxi rank. I hope this move will see such practice become the norm in Belfast."

(CD/JP)