Other News In Brief

Work To Start To Develop Two-Way Cycle Lane In Belfast

Work to develop a £300,000 two-way cycle lane in Belfast is to start on Monday, 08 January.

The scheme at Middlepath Street is expected to be completed by the end of March this year.

The project will provide 600 metres of cycleway, which will include a segregated two-way cycle lane, bicycle signals and a new toucan crossing. Preliminary works have already begun in the area to create a new cycleway connecting the Lagan riverside path at Queen's Quay to Titanic Quarter Station.

Diversions will be put in place during the works and motorists have been warned to expect some delays.

SDLP Condemns Paramilitary Style Attack In West Belfast

SDLP Cllr Tim Attwood has condemned those behind a paramilitary-style attack on 29 year-old in west Belfast on Saturday, 30 December.

He said: "My immediate thoughts are with the victim and their family who must be greatly distressed at this time.

"As we celebrate the dawn of 2018 and the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement there can be no place for such brutal and violent attacks in our society.

"If we want to stop these people, we need to bring information forward to help the police take them off the streets. As a community we must stand together against violence."

Concerns Raised Over Use Of Airport By US Military Aircraft

South Antrim Sinn Féin MLA, Declan Kearney has raised concerns about the continued use of Belfast International Airport by US military aircraft.

Mr Kearney said: "Local constituents living in the Aldergrove area have renewed concerns about the continued use of Belfast International Airport by US military aircraft. On this occasion there is clear evidence that a US Marine flight has been facilitated by the airport authorities in recent days.

"There are justifiable fears that these particular air craft may be attached to military operations associated with the United States foreign policy in the Middle East or elsewhere, where humanitarian crises continue unabated.

"With increased global instability it is alarming to think that our own international airport could be unwittingly enabling foreign military actions.

"All Irish airspace, both national and regional should be restricted to non-military use only. Ireland has a proud tradition of neutrality; that should be strengthened not diminished."

(CD/LM)