Other News In Brief

DoI Urged To Prioritise Resurfacing For Newtownhamilton Roads

The Department of Infrastructure has been urged to prioritise resurfacing works for a number of roads around Newtownhamilton in Co Antrim.

SDLP Councillor Pete Byrne revealed he has written to the Divisional Roads Manager due to the deteriorating state of roads surrounding the village, particularly Outleckan Road, Coldbrae Road, Cavanakill Road and Carrickacullion Road.

Mr Byrne said he visited the area to see the deterioration for himself after he was contacted by a concerned resident.

"The Carrickacullion Rd is one of the worst with parts of the road crumbling and falling into structural disrepair," he said.

"Many of our rural areas, already neglected down the years, are now suffering even worse as a consequence of recent under-investment in overall maintenance.

"We have written to the Divisional Roads Manager specifically highlighting Outleckan Rd, Coldbrae Rd, Cavanakill Rd and Carrickacullion Rd. All of these have numerous and some quite serious defects. I have urged the Department to ensure that these roads in particular are prioritised with ongoing works and have asked to be advised of what actions are planned. Our rural network is an important lifeline for local communities and is essential for the success of our rural economy."

Public Urged To Support Belfast Pride

Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon has encouraged people to attend events organised as part of the annual Belfast Pride festival.

The Sinn Féin equality spokesperson said: "Sinn Féin is proud to support Belfast Pride Festival which continues to go from strength to strength and is a now a real staple of the calendar.

"Pride provides a platform for discussion about equality and raising awareness about issues faced by the LGB & T communities.

"Huge steps forward towards full equality have been made in recent years but there is still more to be done.

"It's important that we show solidarity with the LGB and T communities and send a clear message that inequality and discrimination of any kind is simply not tolerable."

Campaign Launched To Ensure Titanic Artefacts Are Returned To Belfast

The Ulster Unionist Party's Economy Spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, has welcomed the launch of a campaign to ensure that a large collection of Titanic artefacts is returned to Belfast, where the famous ship was built.

He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the efforts that are being made to ensure that a collection of 5,500 Titanic artefacts, currently in the USA, is returned to Belfast.

"The Titanic story is one that is synonymous with Belfast and the City's proud industrial heritage.

"The Titanic Visitor Centre has been a tremendous asset and played a key role in increasing the number of tourists visiting Belfast, contributing tens of millions of pounds to the local economy. There could be no better location to display these artefacts which have been raised from the wreck of history’s most famous ship.

"I am happy to support the £15m bid which is being backed by Titanic Belfast, Royal Museums Greenwich, National Museums Northern Ireland and Titanic Foundation Limited."

(CD)