Other News In Brief

Transport NI Launches Winter Service Operation

A winter service operation for Transport NI has been launched.

The operation which aims to keep traffic moving safely and freely on our main roads during the winter.

Until April next year over 300 staff are available every day to salt the road network that serves around 80% of daily traffic flow in Northern Ireland. The full winter service fleet of 130 gritters and eight specialist snow blower vehicles are operational and available to be deployed.

Call For Public To Voice Opinions On Future Regeneration Plans

Members of the public are being called to voice their opinions on the future regeneration of six pilot areas in Ballymena and Belfast.

The pilot areas, through the 'Building Successful Communities Programme', have established Regeneration Forums which have been pivotal in developing housing-led action plans, tailored to each pilot area's specific needs.

The six pilot areas are:

• Doury Road, Ballymena

• Lower Falls, Belfast

• Lower Shankill and Brown Square, Belfast

• Lower Oldpark and Hillview, Belfast

• Lenadoon and Glencolin, Belfast

• Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer, Belfast

Minister for Social Development Mervyn Storey said: "I want to make sure we hear the views of local residents at each stage of the process, and in particular as we work to finalise action plans that I hope will help transform these communities."

A number of community drop in sessions have been organised in each area where local residents will be able to view the plans.

Cookstown Farming Meeting Constructive

Sinn Féin Agricultural spokesperson Oliver McMullan has said that the meeting organised by Farmers for Action and Agricultural Producers (NIAPA) in Cookstown was imaginative and constructive.

Mr McMullan said: "The farming and associated industries are the biggest employers in the North yet it is under threat due to the fact that farmers are not getting a fair price for their produce leaving many working at a loss.

"The meeting organised by Farmers for Action and NIAPA attracted over 200 people representing all aspects of the industry.

"Dairy, beef, pig, sheep, poultry as well as vegetable and grain farmers were represented so it was bonus that we had everyone around the table for the first time.

"Amongst the issues discussed were the Supply Chain Forum, EU legislation and the need for a robust strategy to ensure that farms remain viable.

"I would also congratulate the Farmers for Action and NIAPA for this imaginative approach in seeking answers to the problems facing farmers and pledge to work with them to achieve better outcomes for the entire industry."

(CD)