Connswater Jobs Announcement Welcomed

Alliance MP Naomi Long has welcomed news of new jobs being created at Connswater Shopping Centre.

East Belfast MP Mrs Long was speaking after the announcement of seven new jobs at the Specsavers store, which is moving to bigger premises in the centre. The announcement comes in the wake of Tesco and Dunnes both deciding to leave Connswater.

She said: "This is a small but significant step in securing the future of Connswater.

"It shows there is still confidence in the centre from other traders, which is an important marker after a turbulent period, and hopefully this is news that can be built upon. Every shopping centre goes through phases and there are always options to reconfigure it to be used in different ways."

Experimental Control Scheme To Start In Portadown

An experimental traffic control scheme aimed at reducing traffic at Edenderry in Portadown will come into operation on Monday 9th March 2015.

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "The introduction of traffic signals at Edenderry as a result of the planning process for a private development ý in the area has had a significant impact on this key junction in Portadown.

"TransportNI staff have been monitoring junction performance and investigating the concerns raised by local people and elected representatives.

"The outcome of this exercise determined that ensuring safety and improving the flows through the junction could be only be achieved by banning traffic from turning right into Watson Street and Lurgan Road for traffic coming from Carrickblacker Road, and prohibiting traffic from turning right from Lurgan Road into Watson Street."

Translink May Not Survive With Fare Increases - Dallat

SDLP Spokesperson for Regional Development John Dallat has claimed the announcement that Translink may not survive without fare increases must begin a serious discussion on the future of public transport and its relevance to the many people who use it.

Mr Dallat said: "The Assembly needs to be aware of the consequences of cutting the subsidy to Translink. It will result in fare increases far above inflation and a withdrawal of services to the people who most depend on them.

"The introduction of the Senior Smart Pass for senior citizens was one of the best decisions of the Assembly but what good is a Smart Pass if there is no transport in the rural areas where it is needed most?

"Thousands of young people use public transport to get to universities and colleges. Is their education now to be further damaged because fares will be no longer affordable?

"As an assembly we need to protect public transport and avoid it being broken up and handed over to private operators who will cherry pick the profitable routes and abandon what's left."

(CD)