Other NI News In Brief

Has Marketing Been Derailed?

While SDLP East Londonderry MLA John Dallat has expressed surprise that Translink spent nothing marketing the Belfast to Derry railway line in the last financial year, a Translink spokesperson has responded that practically all rail marketing and advertising investment is directed towards the network as a whole as opposed to individual lines. "This approach has delivered millions more people choosing to travel by rail," she insisted, noting that - on the introduction of new services from Ballymena and Coleraine - and following track upgrade work, "the Derry line has benefited from some specific advertising campaigns, again with considerable success". Mr Dallat originally claimed: "Translink has no enthusiasm for creating a renaissance of the rail network beyond the local network".

Coleraine Communty Centre Underway

The first sod has been cut at the site of a new £1.8m Coleraine community centre. Plans for the new centre incorporate dedicated recreation facilities including a purpose-built boxing gym, indoor and outdoor football and changing facilities, as well as a wet play area. NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: "I want our urban regeneration projects to deliver shared public space, places that people from all communities can access and enjoy. This new community centre in Coleraine will be an excellent example of this."

Sales Enhanced By Invest NI

Almost 130 local manufacturing companies have enhanced their international sales potential by achieving essential quality standards for their products, thanks to support from Invest Northern Ireland. The companies participated in Invest NI's CE Marking Programme, enabling them to add the internationally recognised 'CE' logo to their products. This demonstrates compliance with a range of strict EU Directives covering product safety and quality and is essential for exports into the EU and beyond. Since 2006 Invest NI has delivered £250,000 in funding for the initiative, which is aimed primarily at companies manufacturing a range of machinery and mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment.

Flood Insurance Availability Agreed

A joint agreement on flood risk in Northern Ireland has been reached between the government and the Association of British Insurers. The agreement to a Statement of Principles (SoP) will help ensure flood insurance remains affordable and as widely available as possible. The government has made various commitments to improve flood risk assessment and reduce flood risk, particularly after heavy rainstorms, and prevent inappropriate development in flood risk areas.

Debt Advice Freely Given

The NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched 'advice4debtNI', the new telephone based debt advice service for Northern Ireland. The Minister said: "Anyone in Northern Ireland can call 0800 917 4607 and receive free, confidential and unbiased debt advice, specific to their needs. advice4debtNI is a new front in the battle to address consumer debt. Since 2005, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has provided funding for face to face debt advice, however we sought to extend the range of advice available, and awarded a £400,000 two year contract to Action for Employment (A4e) earlier this year, to deliver a free, confidential and impartial telephone based debt advice service," she explained, noting that the service has been operational since 1 September 2009.

Bus Reaches Milestone

Airporter is celebrating serving half a million happy customers. The airport transfer company, who will mark 14 years in business later this year, raised a glass with their 500,000th and 500,001st customers Mr and Mrs Simpkin. The couple were surprised by champagne, cake, streamers and balloons when they arrived for their 10am transfer to Belfast International Airport where they were to fly to London to visit their daughter. They enjoyed an evening of fine food and entertainment courtesy of Airporter and the Millennium Forum and they will also be treated to dinner at the Encore Restaurant and two tickets to the Broadway hit Singing In the Rain at the Forum after they return.

(BMcC/GK)