Other News In Brief

Over £70,000 Secured For Road Safety Initiatives

Over £70,000 has been secured for road safety initiatives in Northern Ireland as part as part of the Department for Infrastructure's Road Safety Grant Scheme.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "Road traffic collisions and their devastating consequences hit right at the core of our communities. Government works hard to inform road users of the problem issues in order to help them make good choices when using the roads. The evidence tells us, that good choices by road users, saves lives.

"Already this year 48 people have been killed on our roads. The only way to reduce these deaths is for everyone on the road to make better choices and safer decisions, on every journey."

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at at Newry Magistrates' Court.

Carla Maguire claimed Income Support totalling £2,298 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

She is also required to repay any money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Work Continues On Major Metering Scheme In NI

Contractors working for Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) are continuing to replace over 200,000 meters across NI as part of a major metering scheme.

The firm has selected ROL Testing, MD Electrical and KJM Electrical to carry out the work.

KJM Electrical is working within the Greater Belfast area and ROL Testing and MD Electrical are replacing keypad and credit meters in the rest of the country.

Cormac McCamphill, Metering Projects Manager at NIE Networks, said: "We began this project last summer and have replaced over 80,000 meters so far. By the end of 2017, we will aim to have replaced meters in around 25% of homes and small businesses across the country. Electricity meters record the amount of electricity used and this project will replace any meter which has reached the end of its recommended lifecycle. This will ensure that customers continue to receive accurate information on their electricity usage.

"We are able to identify from our records which meters are due for replacement, and contractors working on behalf of NIE Networks will contact customers directly to make appointments to replace the meters involved."

(CD/LM)