Other News In Brief

Afternoon Of Family Fun To Officially Open Springvale Park

Belfast City Council has announced an afternoon of family fun on Saturday 16 September 2023 to celebrate the opening of a new shared space known as Springvale Park on the Forth Meadow Community Greenway.

Events will take place in three parks on the greenway route including Springfield Dam on Springfield Road (12pm-3pm), the new Springvale Park between Springfield Road and Ballygomartin Road (12pm-3pm) and Glencairn Park on Glencairn Road (12pm-4pm).

Activities will include face painting, arts and crafts, games, bouncy castles, planting, sports try-out sessions, walking, cycling, selfie opportunities, free bike checks, leisurely walking and cycling sessions led by Sustrans and much more.

Chair of Belfast City Council's Shared City Partnership, Councillor Joe Duffy, said: "The event has been organised to coincide with the opening of new pathways between Ballygomartin Road and Springfield Road.

"The opening of this new linear park and shared space will mean that people will be able to walk or cycle along the full 12km route of the Forth Meadow Community Greenway uninterrupted for the first time from this weekend.

"The aim of Forth Meadow Community Greenway is to create shared spaces for communities to come together, enjoy events, get active and have fun. So this family event taking place in multiple locations along the greenway route are a fantastic way to mark this key milestone in the project."

SF Welcomes ICTU's 'Rejection Of Tory Austerity'

Sinn Féin has welcomed the Irish Congress of Trade Unions comments on public finances and their "rejection of Tory austerity".

The party's economy spokesperson, Conor Murphy, said: "I welcome the positive contribution that the Irish Congress of Trade Union has brought to the debate around the public finances.

"Their analysis recognises that the Executive has suffered from over a decade of austerity and that it receives less than it needs to provide comparable public services to England.

"The punitive charges being considered by the British Secretary of State are not the solution and would only add to the hardship of workers and families.

"ICTU is correct in highlighting the need for an increased budget from the British Government and for reform to the Barnett formula.

"It is vital that power-sharing is restored so that the parties can together negotiate for a new Financial Framework which enables the Executive to deliver decent public services for workers and families."

DUP Calls For Clarity On Safety Of NI Drinking Water

The DUP has called on NI Water to confirm the safety and cleanliness of NI's drinking water supply.

Making the call, North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said: "Today my office has been called by residents in the Portglenone area regarding the cleanliness of drinking water. Recently the River Bann was affected by blue green algae. However, today I have received calls about drinking water in the area being unclean and undrinkable from businesses and residents.

"I have made immediate contact with the Chief Executive of NI Water and asked that they immediately investigate this and confirm the safety and cleanliness of drinking water supply. If necessary they should provide emergency drinking and washing supply to the area.

"My constituent Eoghan O’Brien, the owner of Bannside pharmacy stated to my staff member who investigated this "I'm deeply concerned about the blue green algae in Lough Neagh & the River Bann which is a significant threat to health & wellbeing.

"One of the most significant advances in public health over this past 100 years has been clean drinking water. 40% of the drinking water in NI comes from Lough Neagh. I was unable to drink my filtered tap water this morning."