Other News In Brief

Ronan Keating Announces Belfast Festival Gig

Ronan Keating is set to perform a huge gig in Belfast later this year.

Adding himself to the lineup for Live at Botanic Gardens this June, the singer announced a summer tour in celebration of his self-titled debut album release exactly 20 years ago.

The Irish star will take to the botanical gardens on Friday 05 June with his new album 'Twenty Twenty'.

Tickets go on sale later this month, Friday 21 February, and are available from all usual Ticketmaster outlets.

Recycling Firm Fined £28k Over Health & Safety Breach

A local recycling firm has been struck with a £28,000 fine for breaching health and safety regulations.

Ace Recycling (NI) Limited and its sole director were found guilty of failing to ensure a suitable and sufficient assessment was completed to identify the presence of asbestos at a former factory site at Shaerf Drive, Lurgan.

James McCoubrey, director of Ace Recycling (NI) Limited, was also fined for failing to comply with a prohibition notice. The prohibition notice was served by an HSENI Inspector to prevent any further work involving asbestos from continuing at the site.

Demolition work at the former factory site commenced during December 2016 and continued through to February 2017. An independent contractor, not a licenced asbestos removal company, was tasked by James McCoubrey to remove asbestos containing materials from the site, the extent of which were unknown. Suitable precautions were not taken by the contractor during the demolition process to ensure the safe removal of asbestos.

Following receipt of a complaint regarding the alleged removal of asbestos, a HSENI Inspector visited the site at Shearf Drive on 08 February 2017. The Inspector served a prohibition notice preventing any further asbestos removal work from continuing. A subsequent visit by the same Inspector identified that the prohibition notice had not been complied with and further unnecessary asbestos contamination of the site had taken place.

HSENI Inspector Kyle Carrick said: "This case highlights the importance of surveying a property for asbestos to minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres from subsequent work activities.

"The risk of exposure to asbestos could easily have been avoided if a suitable and sufficient assessment to identify the presence of asbestos had taken place before commencing demolition. In addition failure to comply with the prohibition notice in this case has resulted in workers being unnecessarily exposed to asbestos."

Revitalisation Of Belfast City Centre Progresses

Plans to revitalise Belfast city centre are one step closer to fruition after a recent committee meeting.

The Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee met last night, 12 February, progressing plans which will reimagine the city centre.

Local Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has welcomed the progress and called for plans to kickstart a new version of Belfast.

"Belfast city centre has the potential to be the heart of everything that happens in our city," she said. "We need to encourage an inclusive and connected city centre attractive to families, shoppers, workers and visitors alike. City centre living may provide the lifeblood that many businesses need, but families, workers and visitors need appropriate services, such as open spaces and parks."

The North Belfast Cllr has identified plans like pedestrianising the city centre, creating a safe cycle network to connect the city centre to all communities across Belfast, and developing a cafe culture.

Cllr McAllister added: "There is a lot of investment currently taking place and planned, but we need to make sure this investment can enrich opportunities - that is why the work must start now. Only by collaborating together from the onset will we transform the city centre into a diverse and welcoming place.

"It is also important that people who live on the edges of the city centre feel they are part of the city through proper planning of the arterial routes that should facilitate easy movement and not act as barriers. People in North Belfast, for example, need to see the benefits of the developments that will take place over the next few years and be assured they will not be left behind.

"Belfast City Council has an important role to play in reimagining the city centre. Council needs to ensure that relevant government departments and developers work in a co-ordinated way for the benefit of all. The Alliance group of councillors will be to the fore in promoting Belfast City Centre at every opportunity and helping bring these important plans to fruition."



(JG/CM)