Other News In Brief

Construction Begins On L'Derry Primary School

Construction has started on the new Our Lady of Fatima primary school, which will bring together three existing schools in County Londonderry.

The new six-classroom school will accommodate up to 175 pupils and will amalgamate Craigbrack, Mullabuoy and Listress primary schools. It is being built on a greenfield site at Tamnaherin.

Permanent Secretary for the Department of Education, Derek Baker, said: "It is a pleasure to be here to mark the beginning of work on this new primary school. Investment in our schools infrastructure is vital if we are to continue to provide a high quality education for our children and young people.

"I look forward to seeing the new school when construction has been completed and I wish you all well for the future."

Work to build the new school is expected to take around 12 months and the school should be completed and handed over in the early autumn 2019.

£122,000 Resurfacing Scheme To Begin In L'Derry

The Department for Infrastructure has announced a £122,000 resurfacing and reconstruction scheme on the Moss Road, Londonderry.

Beginning on Monday 08 October, the resurfacing work will extend a distance of approximately 670 metres from Glengalliagh Road to Galliagh Roundabout. It is expected work will be completed by 20 October 2018. The scheme will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the road.

Due to the nature of the scheme it will be necessary to implement a full road closure from 08 October to 20 October between 9.30am to 6.00pm daily. During these times a two-way diversion via Glengalliagh Road and Fern Road will be in place.

Diversionary routes will be clearly signed and local access for residents will be maintained at all times during the works.

Sinn Féin Call For Urgent Meeting With Sport NI Over Selection Criteria

Sinn Féin MLA Michaela Boyle has requested an urgent meeting with both Sport NI and Cycling Ireland to discuss the selection criteria and appeals process related to the selection of junior and under 23 riders for the Irish National Cycling team.

Deputy Boyle said: "A number of weeks ago I was made aware that Adam Ward, a constituent and Irish National Champion, was not selected for the Irish Junior team making the trip to Austria to compete in the Cycling World Championship.

"Considering Adam is the current National Junior Champion, number one ranked junior rider and the winner of many senior elite road races both in Ireland and on the international stage I raised this issue with Sport NI.

"At my request, Sport NI spoke with Cycling Ireland and relayed my concerns around the application of the selection criteria and the denial of an appeal hearing.

"Cycling Ireland then agreed to an appeal hearing which returned a successful decision and returned the selection for re-marking. However, the subsequent re-marking process on the 20th September returned the same result with Adam missing out on selection.

"I have received numerous queries from all sections of the Cycling Ulster community seeking further information on this decision and on that basis, I have requested a follow up meeting with Sport NI and Cycling Ireland to discuss this matter further.

"I understand that Cycling Ireland will be considering their selection process at the end of the competitive season and I will be requesting that review will include a wide consultation with the membership of Cycling Ireland. I will also work with Sport NI to ensure we continue to see a positive development of sport across the north of Ireland.

"I want to recognise the difficulty faced by the selectors and wish all those selected to represent Ireland the very best, they are talented and dedicated young riders and I know they will all wear the jersey with pride."

(MH/CM)