Other News In Brief

Belfast Parks Photographic Competition Open For Entries

The Belfast Parks Photographic Competition is open once again for entries from amateur photographers in the city.

Organised by Belfast City Council, the competition is sponsored by John McQuillan (Contracts) Ltd.

There are four award categories to enter with three prizes in each category and you can enter the competition online or by post.

The categories are: Active Living; Park Landscapes; Seasons in our Parks; Under 16 award category

Submitted photographs must be taken in one of our parks and open spaces from April 2023. The competition closes on Friday 29 December 2023.

For more information on the categories, prizes and entering online or by post, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parkphotocompetition.

Sian Mulholland Announced As New MLA For North Antrim

The Alliance Party has announced the selection of Sian Mulholland as MLA for North Antrim, replacing Patricia O'Lynn, who stepped down from the role last week.

Sian has been an Alliance Councillor for the last eight years. She is looking forward to Alliance continuing to represent the many people of North Antrim who voted for their first Alliance MLA in May.

The new MLA said: "I am honoured to have been selected as the new Alliance MLA for North Antrim by local party members. I'd like to also pay tribute to Patricia O'Lynn, whose bold vision helped grow the party to unimaginable heights here in North Antrim.

"Last May, people across North Antrim put their faith in Alliance and the party has continually repaid that. I look forward to continuing that hard work and helping people with the issues that matter to them across the constituency.

"Coming from a rural village, I know those issues well, including roads infrastructure, transport, health, broadband and utilities, school amalgamations and community resources. Those are the bread and butter matters which impact people in North Antrim on a daily basis.

"But to deliver on those commitments, we need an Assembly and Executive restored. I will use my voice as MLA to push for that every day.

"The people of North Antrim voted for change. Myself and my party colleagues will bring commitment, energy and focus to deliver precisely that."

Party Leader, Naomi Long MLA, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sian to our Assembly team. She has a wealth of political and community experience, having served as a councillor and worked in both the youth and arts sectors. I hope that she will have an opportunity to put those skills to good use on behalf of her constituents in North Antrim in a working Assembly, sooner rather than later."

SDLP Welcomes Opening Of A6 Road Scheme

The SDLP has welcomed the news of an opening date the A6 road scheme following a number of delays.

Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan said the Department for Infrastructure must now turn their attentions to the final phase of the project.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: "After being beset by obstacles and delays I'm glad that we will now finally see the Dungiven to Drumahoe phase of the A6 road scheme open to motorists this week. This will be welcome news for everyone who regularly travels this road given the delays that the final stages of the work have been causing in the area for some time.

"This work will not only cut journey times, but will improve road safety, bring our communities closer together making it easier for people travelling to Derry, including tourists who are an important part of our city's economy. I believe that modern transport links are also vital to address the underinvestment in our area and I hope this road will go some way to rectifying those issues. I know that people living and working along the route, especially in the Dungiven area will welcome the end of gridlock and congestion which contributes to poor air quality in the town.

"The Department for Infrastructure must now turn its attentions to starting work on the final section of this project improving the road from Drumahoe to Maydown. We must ensure that mistakes that were made when carrying out work on the latest section of the road are not repeated and the SDLP will keep pressing until we see this work delivered to benefit everyone in the wider area."