17/02/2026
Road Improvement Schemes Announced For Tyrone And Belfast
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced two road improvement schemes in Counties Tyrone and Down worth a combined £671,000.
The projects will see resurfacing works carried out on the B72 Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney, alongside improvements to Newtownbreda Road in Belfast, with both schemes commencing this month.
The larger of the two investments is a £440,000 resurfacing scheme on the B72 Meenacloy Road, extending for approximately 2.1 kilometres from Rotten Mountain Road to Meenclogher Road. Works are scheduled to begin on 23 February and continue for around two weeks, with weekday road closures in place between 8am and 6pm to facilitate construction.
Meanwhile, a £231,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on Newtownbreda Road in Belfast began on 16 February. The project covers approximately 0.63 kilometres between the Purdysburn Road junction and the Tesco roundabout, with daily road closures in operation between 8am and 6pm until early March.
Announcing the schemes, Minister Kimmins said the investments would deliver significant benefits for residents and road users while supporting connectivity for businesses and communities.
The Department for Infrastructure said traffic management arrangements have been planned to minimise disruption where possible, although motorists should expect some delays and allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works. Both schemes remain subject to favourable weather conditions.
The projects will see resurfacing works carried out on the B72 Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney, alongside improvements to Newtownbreda Road in Belfast, with both schemes commencing this month.
The larger of the two investments is a £440,000 resurfacing scheme on the B72 Meenacloy Road, extending for approximately 2.1 kilometres from Rotten Mountain Road to Meenclogher Road. Works are scheduled to begin on 23 February and continue for around two weeks, with weekday road closures in place between 8am and 6pm to facilitate construction.
Announcing the schemes, Minister Kimmins said the investments would deliver significant benefits for residents and road users while supporting connectivity for businesses and communities.
The Department for Infrastructure said traffic management arrangements have been planned to minimise disruption where possible, although motorists should expect some delays and allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works. Both schemes remain subject to favourable weather conditions.
Latest Northern Ireland News
17 February 2026
Ancient Cairn Found At The Murrins Near Omagh
A Neolithic or Bronze Age burial cairn, estimated to be 3,000–5,000 years old, has been uncovered at The Murrins Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), east of Omagh, during peatland restoration aimed at improving water quality in the Fane and Strule river catchments.
Ancient Cairn Found At The Murrins Near Omagh
A Neolithic or Bronze Age burial cairn, estimated to be 3,000–5,000 years old, has been uncovered at The Murrins Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), east of Omagh, during peatland restoration aimed at improving water quality in the Fane and Strule river catchments.
17 February 2026
Landmark £64m Investment To Reshape Newry City Centre
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has reached a significant milestone in its Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme with the appointment of Woodvale Construction Company as the contractor for the city's new Theatre and Conference Centre.
Landmark £64m Investment To Reshape Newry City Centre
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has reached a significant milestone in its Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme with the appointment of Woodvale Construction Company as the contractor for the city's new Theatre and Conference Centre.
17 February 2026
Sinn Féin To Skip St Patrick's Day Events At The White House
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has confirmed that her party will not be attending St Patrick's Day events at the White House this year. The decision follows Ms McDonald's assessment of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, which she described as dire.
Sinn Féin To Skip St Patrick's Day Events At The White House
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has confirmed that her party will not be attending St Patrick's Day events at the White House this year. The decision follows Ms McDonald's assessment of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, which she described as dire.
17 February 2026
Teachers Urged To Reshape Religious Education Curriculum
Education Minister Paul Givan has invited teachers and school principals from across Northern Ireland to apply for a new drafting group tasked with redesigning the Religious Education (RE) curriculum. The initiative aims to create a revised syllabus for students ranging from Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 4.
Teachers Urged To Reshape Religious Education Curriculum
Education Minister Paul Givan has invited teachers and school principals from across Northern Ireland to apply for a new drafting group tasked with redesigning the Religious Education (RE) curriculum. The initiative aims to create a revised syllabus for students ranging from Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 4.
17 February 2026
UUP Calls For Sexual Violence To Be Specific Criterion In Troubles Investigations
Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA is set to bring a motion before the Assembly today, Tuesday 17 February, calling for sexual violence and child abuse to be formally recognised as bespoke criteria for Troubles-related investigations.
UUP Calls For Sexual Violence To Be Specific Criterion In Troubles Investigations
Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA is set to bring a motion before the Assembly today, Tuesday 17 February, calling for sexual violence and child abuse to be formally recognised as bespoke criteria for Troubles-related investigations.
17 February 2026
Final Phase of Newry Improvement Scheme Announced
The Department for Infrastructure has announced the second and final phase of a major public realm and road improvement scheme for Merchants Quay and Sugar Island in Newry City. This project is being delivered alongside the previously announced works on the A27 New Street and is partially funded by the Department for Communities.
Final Phase of Newry Improvement Scheme Announced
The Department for Infrastructure has announced the second and final phase of a major public realm and road improvement scheme for Merchants Quay and Sugar Island in Newry City. This project is being delivered alongside the previously announced works on the A27 New Street and is partially funded by the Department for Communities.
17 February 2026
Woman Charged Following Major Drugs Seizure In L’Derry
Police in L’Derry have charged a 33-year-old woman with several drug-related offences following a targeted operation in the city on Monday, 16 February. She is scheduled to appear before Londonderry Magistrates' Court today, Tuesday 17 February.
Woman Charged Following Major Drugs Seizure In L’Derry
Police in L’Derry have charged a 33-year-old woman with several drug-related offences following a targeted operation in the city on Monday, 16 February. She is scheduled to appear before Londonderry Magistrates' Court today, Tuesday 17 February.
17 February 2026
Police Appeal After Knife-Wielding Intruder Targets South Belfast Home
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is requesting public assistance following an aggravated burglary that took place in south Belfast on the afternoon of Saturday, 14 February. The incident occurred in the Eblana Street area around 5:00 pm. Reports indicate that a male armed with a knife entered the living room of a residential property.
Police Appeal After Knife-Wielding Intruder Targets South Belfast Home
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is requesting public assistance following an aggravated burglary that took place in south Belfast on the afternoon of Saturday, 14 February. The incident occurred in the Eblana Street area around 5:00 pm. Reports indicate that a male armed with a knife entered the living room of a residential property.
17 February 2026
Sinn Féin Calls for Standardised Mental Health Data System
Sinn Féin's spokesperson for mental health, Órlaithí Flynn MLA, has stated that the absence of reliable and uniform data in the north is preventing the efficient delivery of support services.
Sinn Féin Calls for Standardised Mental Health Data System
Sinn Féin's spokesperson for mental health, Órlaithí Flynn MLA, has stated that the absence of reliable and uniform data in the north is preventing the efficient delivery of support services.
17 February 2026
Road Improvement Schemes Announced For Tyrone And Belfast
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced two road improvement schemes in Counties Tyrone and Down worth a combined £671,000. The projects will see resurfacing works carried out on the B72 Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney, alongside improvements to Newtownbreda Road in Belfast, with both schemes commencing this month.
Road Improvement Schemes Announced For Tyrone And Belfast
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced two road improvement schemes in Counties Tyrone and Down worth a combined £671,000. The projects will see resurfacing works carried out on the B72 Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney, alongside improvements to Newtownbreda Road in Belfast, with both schemes commencing this month.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.