Other News In Brief

Traffic And Travel Advice Ahead Of Apprentice Boys Parade

The PSNI has issued traffic and travel advice, ahead of the Apprentice Boys of Derry 335th 'Shutting of the Gates' event in L'Derry on Saturday, 2nd December.

The city centre will be open and motorists driving through the city-side and Waterside areas, between 11.30am and 5.30pm, are advised to take extra care and of delays during parade times. As always, police work in partnership with parade organisers and marshals to ensure minimum disruption to those going about their daily routine. Officers will be on patrol during the day and encourage everyone attending to have a safe day while respecting local residents and businesses.

Visiting Branch clubs taking part in the parade will assemble at the Railway Station in the Waterside at about 11am and leave at 11.30am.The route will take the clubs and bands from Duke Street across the top deck of Craigavon Bridge and then onto Carlisle Road, Hawkin Street, London Street, Bishop Street and Palace Lane to the Memorial Hall.

• 12:45pm

The local William King Memorial Band will assemble in Kennedy Street and make its way to the Memorial Hall.

• 1.15pm

Bands will leave Society Street, Bishop Street, The Diamond, Ferryquay Street, Wapping Lane, Carlisle Road, Kennedy Street, Hawkin Street, London Street into the cathedral. This is estimated to take approximately 40 minutes.

• 3.15pm

The Parade reforms in Bishop Street, Society Street, and moves off via London Street Hawkin Street, Kennedy Street, Kennedy Place, Wapping Lane, Carlisle Square, Carlisle Road, Ferryquay Street, The Diamond, Bishop Street, Society Street, Palace Street to Bishop Street. The top deck of Craigavon Bridge will be closed to traffic for approximately 45-60 minutes, when the parade is in Bishop Street, however traffic will be allowed to flow elsewhere in the city centre.

• 4.30pm

The parade will move off again, the visiting Branch Clubs will return to Waterside via Bishop Street, London Street, Hawkin Street, Carlisle Road, Carlisle Square, Craigavon Bridge, and Duke Street to dispersal at Waterside Link at 4.45 pm approximately.

UUP Calls For Commemoration Of 80th Anniversary Of D-Day Landings

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has called for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings to be commemorated.

At the recent full council meeting of Mid and East Antrim, Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alan Barr tabled the question: 'Does MEABC intend to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings this June by participating in the national beacon lighting initiative?'

Councillor Barr explained that the D-Day Landings are being commemorated by a national beacon lighting initiative involving the various regions across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the British Overseas Territories.  This initiative is being led by the national Pageant master Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR.  Indeed, the lighting of these beacons has the support of the Prime Minister and all three of the Armed Services.

Councillor Barr said,

"The 6th of June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day when Allied forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed.  Operation Overlord saw around 4,000 ships and landing craft set down around 132,500 troops on five Normandy beaches.  Additionally, over 18,000 from the Allied airborne forces were dropped into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day.

"These actions ensured the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation.  Therefore, it is important that our generation never forget the bravery and sacrifice of those service personnel as they ensured the freedoms which we enjoy today.  The lighting of beacons will remind us and our children of the heroism of those who have gone before

"I hope that the Borough will participate in this national initiative to light D-Day beacons. D-Day is very significant to us as a Borough as the former St. Patrick's Barracks was the Depot of the Royal Ulster Rifles, whose 1st and 2nd Battalions landed in France via the air and by sea respectively. Additionally, this will sadly most likely be the last 'big' D-Day anniversary whereby those who can personally recall it will be alive to witness the commemorations.

"I have asked my party colleagues across every Council to raise this matter in their own chambers to ensure we give this historic event the recognition it deserves."

Lack On Needs-Based Funding At Heart Of Industrial Action – DUP

A lack of needs-based funding for Northern Ireland is why education staff and others have not received fair pay awards, DUP Education Spokesperson Diane Dodds has said.

Highlighting the fact that the Education Authority is facing a £200million overspend this year alone, the Upper Bann MLA said: "Teachers, school leaders and other staff who all play a key role in the education of our children and young people have not had a pay rise for three years. That position is neither sustainable nor fair. Staff here in Northern Ireland deserve comparable pay with their counterparts across the rest of the United Kingdom.

"The Education Authority however are predicting a £200million overspend in this financial year alone because their budget, like others right across the public sector in Northern Ireland does not meet basic needs. That overspend has arisen without any pay award and is set to worsen year-on-year.

"As the budget stands today it is not a lack of will preventing those pay awards, nor the lack of a Minister but the lack of needs-based funding for our public services. The DUP will continue to stand in support of teaching staff, and those across other vital public services who deserve to be paid properly.

"It has been the DUP alone who have shone a spotlight on the need for sustainable needs-based funding for Northern Ireland and placed it at the centre of debate. It has been the DUP who have pressed this in our discussions with Government and we will continue to make the case for sustainable public services in Northern Ireland."