28/01/2014

Other News In Brief

Two Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two women have been convicted at Belfast Crown Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

Eileen Conn, 44, of Springfield Road, Belfast claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £29,132 while failing to declare employment. She was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for three years.

Elizabeth Dorman, 55, of Invernook Park, Belfast claimed Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £19,649 while failing to declare employment and a pension. She was given a 24 week prison sentence suspended for two years.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money they wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

NI Railway Passenger Journeys Increase

Northern Ireland Railways saw passenger journeys increase to a record high of almost 13million in 2013, figures have revealed.

The East Derry MLA Mr John Dallat said: "These figures prove that when you invest in public transport people respond by making more regular use of it.

"The case is now made for further investment particularly on the Derry-Belfast service and the Enterprise Service between Belfast and Dublin.

"While the capital investment on rail travel is costly, the long-term benefits are enormous and have the full support of the SDLP.

"We are grateful to the minister for recent investment on the Coleraine-Derry section of our railways and encourage him, and indeed the Assembly Executive, to finish the job so we can have a hourly service to cater for a travelling public that is increasingly choosing rail travel."

Improvement Works For Mountpottinger Road

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that road improvements on the Mountpottinger Road in Belfast, representing an investment of £276,000, are set to begin on Monday 3rd February.

The scheme, which is expected to be complete by 14th March, will include resurfacing and the installation of a new Puffin Crossing.

Mr Kennedy said: "This is a very significant investment. The work will greatly improve the road and the adjoining footways. This, together with the new Puffin Crossing, brings benefits for all road users and pedestrians in the local area."

To help ensure the safety of road users and contractors, the works will initially be undertaken using localised lane closures. However, from Monday 17 February a one-way lane closure will be in place each weekday until Friday 14th March.

During this time it will not be possible to allow traffic to travel from Albertbridge Road to Mountpottinger Link. Clearly sign posted diversions will be in place via Mountpottinger Link, Short Strand and Albertbridge Road.

To facilitate the final stages of the improvement scheme, including resurfacing work, it is expected that a full road closure of Mountpottinger Road will be required over five days, during March. The public will be advised of the dates once they are confirmed during the course of the scheme.

(CD/MH)

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