Other News In Brief

SF Offer Support To Striking Health Workers

Sinn Fein has pledged its support for health care workers who have voted for strike action.

Some 92% of those who responded to the Unison ballot for action on pay parity and safe staffing levels expressed support for industrial action.

Commenting on the decision, Michelle O'Neill urged the Department of Health to "meaningfully engage" with workers and their unions.

"Health and Social Care staff are the service's greatest asset. However, they are underpaid and undervalued," Ms O'Neill said.

"Waiting lists and waiting times for patients are at crisis levels. The safety of staff and patients is being compromised as a result of staff shortages which have been exacerbated by pay issues affecting recruitment and retention of staff.

"Sinn Féin has pledged its support for the workers' efforts to improve safety and their pay and working conditions.

"The Department of Health needs to immediately begin to meaningfully engage with the workers and their unions."

Co Fermanagh Route To Close For Resurfacing

A road in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, is set to close for improvement work from next week.

The Department for Infrastructure is leading a £360,000 project to resurface a 2.2km section of the Lisnaskea Road from Castle Lane to the junction with the Killynamph Road.

Work will begin on Monday 18 November and run until Wednesday 04 December.

A daily road closure will be in operation between 8am and 6pm throughout to facilitate the work.

During these times a diversionary route will be clearly signed via A34 Main Street, Lisnagole Rd, Brookeborough Rd, A4 Belfast Road, Dublin Rd, Wellington Road, Henry Street, Sligo Rd and Derrylin Road. Access for emergency vehicles and residents will be maintained at all times.

Road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the area.

Newtownards Wastewater Station Upgrades On Track For 2019 Completion

Work is progressing on a £1.5 million improvement project at Portaferry Road Wastewater Pumping Station in Newtownards.

NI Water is moving forward with the scheme, with testing and commissioning now complete on the new main laid along Portaferry Road.

The project will now move to resurface the affected laneway, with a road closure set to take place from 9pm on Wednesday 20 November to 6am on Thursday 21 November.

Explaining more about the work, Peter Ferguson, NI Water Senior Project Manager said: "To minimise further disruption, our contractor GRAHAM will use this road closure to carry out pipelining on a short section of older pipe in the vicinity of Old Shore Road. We would like to advise road users that this work can only be carried out in dry weather conditions. If conditions are not favourable on Wednesday 20 November then the work will be postponed until the following night and the road closure implemented from 21:00 on Thursday 21 November until 06:00 on Friday 22 November. If the weather conditions are wet on both nights then the work will be postponed until further notice.

"We appreciate the co-operation of local residents, businesses, leisure facilities and road users whilst we complete the final elements of this important scheme. Please be assured that our contractor will strive to keep any noise to an absolute minimum and complete the work as quickly as possible."
The approved diversion route during this work will be: A20 Portaferry / Newtownards Road, Greyabbey, B5 Ballywalter / Greyabbey Road, Ballywalter, A2 Whitechurch Road, Millisle, A2 Main Street, B172 Moss Road / Ballyblack Road East / Movilla Road, A48 Donaghadee Road, A21 Zion Place / George's Street / New Road.

For any drivers leaving Londonderry Park after 9pm, they will be directed from Portaferry Road towards the roundabout and asked to follow the approved diversion route from there.

Upgrades at Portaferry Road Wastewater Pumping Station are on track to be completed next month.