25/04/2017

Other News In Brief

Work To Start On Road Resurfacing Scheme In Belfast

Work is to start on a £180,000 road resurfacing scheme in Belfast.

The work, on Finaghy Road North, is to begin on Sunday 07 May.

Resurfacing the stretch of carriageway from Appleton Park to Andersonstown Road will be carried out on three consecutive Sundays between 7am and 8pm.

The scheme is expected to be completed on Sunday, 21 May.

To help ensure the safety of road users and contractors the improvements will be carried out under road closures. Diversionary routes will be signed. Local access for residents will be maintained at all times during the scheme.

Royal Mail Criticised Over Removing Post Box In Co Down

North Down Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has criticised Royal Mail after learning that yet another Post Box in the Holywood area has been removed, despite promises made that it will be replaced nearby.

The front door of the historic Post Box at Seafront Road, Cultra, was removed shortly before the Easter Holidays by Royal Mail citing corrosion, with replacement plans left unclear until local residents and Councillor Muir intervened.

"Following on from the ongoing debacle concerning the removal of Post Box at Station Road, Craigavad, I was appalled to learn from local residents just before the Easter break that yet another Post Box had been removed," Councillor Muir said.

"With the Post Box at Seafront Road a unique Victorian box which regularly attracts attention of passers-by, forming part of a listed building and also enjoying a good level of usage I have been working hard to resolve the situation.

"Investigations have unearthed news that the door was removed due to corrosion and since it is now found to be beyond repair for continued usage a new plan secured.

"The historic box will be restored to its original beauty but decommissioned for use and, in order to avoid any confusion, painted black as per arrangement which has already received stamp of approval from English Heritage.

"A new post box for public use will also be located nearby, following receipt of necessary approvals from Transport NI.

"With local people exasperated following recent events at Station Road I intend to monitor this issue carefully to ensure these commitments are fulfilled and Holywood gets the First Class service it deserves from Royal Mail."

Call For Irish Passport Office To Open In NI

Sinn Féin is calling for an Irish passport office to open in Northern Ireland.

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile made the call after statistics showed that applications for Irish Passports are to surpass one million.

Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile said: "These latest statistics will come as no surprise given the pursual of an unwanted and hard Brexit by the British Government. The people of the North voted to remain in the EU and therefore retain their Irish and EU citizenship.

"I have no doubt that the trend on applying for Irish passports will only rise further.

"Since entering the Seanad almost one year ago, I have been making the case that the Department of Foreign Affairs, who recently employed an additional 230 staff to deal with the surge, explore urgently a business case for opening a much-needed resource where the demand is, that is the North."

(CD)

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