Other News In Brief

Roadworks Announced In Lisburn

A programme of road improvements is set to get underway in Lisburn starting next week.

The Department for Infrastructure is moving forward with the developer led road improvement scheme at the Prince William Road/ Knockmore Road junction, with work commencing on Monday 18 July.

This scheme will see significant improvements delivered to increase the capacity of the road layout and enhance the pedestrian facilities at the junction to include; widening to the junction; provision of a left slip lane into Knockmore Road; and the provision of PUFFIN controlled pedestrian crossings within the junction layout.

Due to the significant nature of the scheme and to ensure the safety of road users and road workers it will be necessary to close the Prince William Road Northbound from the 18 July for six weeks. A diversion will be clearly signed and operate via the Antrim Road, Pond Park Road and Derriaghy Road.

During September and October the junction will return to two way traffic with the remainder of the works completed during off peak lane closures.

Further road closures will be required towards the end of the scheme for surfacing of the junction, however these will be timed to minimise the impact on road users.

Blair Questions Police Over Loyalist Paramilitary Threat

Alliance MLA John Blair has questioned the PSNI over on-going loyalist paramilitary activity he has described as "threatening and destructive".

Speaking at a Policing Board meeting, John asked if the PSNI were involved in or aware of any reassessment of the threat such criminals pose to national security and the safety of our community.

He added: "We still have a way to go to rid our society of the scourge of paramilitarism and recent reports of a sinister nature are extremely worrying.

"A perceived increase in high profile activities of loyalist paramilitaries – in some cases with arrests being made – signals we are entering worrying times. Yet we can all come together to deliver better for everyone in Northern Ireland.

"I made a point of raising this at the Policing Board as it is crucial the PSNI is across the detail of these threats, reassessing them as these loyalist paramilitaries become more active, either to national security or to communities and the safety of everyone caught up in the cycle.

"I will continue to push this issue with the Policing Board to ensure we do all we can to rid our streets of those who assume control."

Call For NI Executive To Be Restored Immediately

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the British government's Protocol Bill is damaging the north's economy and she called for the Executive to be restored immediately to support workers and families through the cost of living crisis.

Speaking following the latest Ulster Bank PMI report, the party's economy spokesperson said: "The latest Ulster Bank report shows that soaring costs of fuel, energy and feed are impacting on business, retail and manufacturing with demand declining and sales falling.

"This is bad news for hard-pressed workers and families struggling to put food on the table and heat their homes and who have less money to spend in the local economy.

"Ultimately that could mean job losses.

"This report should be a wakeup call to those boycotting our democratic power sharing institutions.

"The priority for everyone should be about restoring the Executive and putting the hundreds of millions in the Executive’s bank account into the pockets of workers and families and into the local economy.

"British government threats to over-ride the Protocol are also causing uncertainty and instability for businesses, which are benefitting from continued access to the British market and EU single market.

"The British government needs to refocus on getting the Assembly and Executive back up and running, end its threats to break international law and negotiate in good faith with the EU to provide certainty and stability for businesses."