Menu
15/11/2011
Other NI News In Brief
High Speed Chase
Two men have been arrested in north Belfast after a police chase that began around 9.20pm on Monday after the driver failed to stop for police on the Long Rig Road in Antrim. Police pursued the vehicle to north Belfast and Glengormley. It was then driven in the wrong direction on the M2 before being stopped by police on the Shore Road as the PSNI helicopter assisted in the operation.
City Alerts
Army bomb experts are attending two separate security alerts in west Belfast, one is at Springfield Drive with Kashmir Road also closed. A second bomb scare is ongoing in the Blacks Road area.
Empey Seeks Better Links
Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Empey will bring forward a debate at the House of Lord's Grand Committee today to ask what plans there are for improving transport links between London and the regions. "Connectivity is vital not only for business but also for making sure that UK citizens are able to access each of the regions easily and are not left feeling dis-attached. While there are proposals for faster rail links and new roads schemes on the Mainland, the regions will suffer heavily if air access to airports in London, especially Heathrow, is threatened," he said. "My main worry is that we could see the George Best Belfast City to Heathrow service cancelled in favour of long haul flights which BA will see as more profitable and I will be raising all of these points with the Department for Transport and I intend to introduce a Private Members Bill (Aviation Access Bill) soon to try and ensure that the regions cannot be denied reasonable access to the principal hub airport in the United Kingdom for both business and leisure travel."
Water Loss
North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey has pressed the Department of Regional Development (DRD) Minister for an assurance to householders in Ballymoney about when safe drinking water will be restored to the 3,000 households who have had to boil drinking and cooking water for nearly a week. The DUP's Mr Storey spoke at DRD Questions in the Assembly and called upon UUP Minister Danny Kennedy to give customers a date when their supply would be restored and to comment upon reports of a further contamination incident. "Whilst communication between Northern Ireland Water and elected representatives may have improved compared to previous incidents, the Minister unfortunately still could not provide an assurance as to when safe drinking water supplies will be restored to all customers in the Ballymoney area. The Minister not only failed to give a conclusive answer today as to when a safe supply will be restored to all customers, but he also ignored a question which was put to him twice about reports of a further contamination to the supply in the area," he said, yesterday.
MOT Changes Loom
A consultation on changes to the MOT test has been announced by the NI Environment Minister Alex Attwood. The changes are proposed because of the increasing sophistication of modern vehicles and the need to standardise European vehicle testing standards. "Modern vehicles incorporate many more electrical safety systems and the European Commission has decided that these systems should now be included in the MOT test. These additional test requirements will ensure vehicles are properly maintained and tested and will also make a significant contribution to road safety and environmental protection," the SDLP Minister said. "The consultation proposes that the MOT test for private cars, heavy and light goods vehicles, public service vehicles and trailers will in future include up to 22 new test items dependent on the vehicle category." To facilitate preparation by motorists and garages for the introduction of the changes, it is proposed that the new test will be carried out on an advisory basis from 1 February to 30 April 2012. If any of the new requirements are found to be defective, the customers will be advised of the issues but the vehicle will not be failed. The changes to the test will become fully effective on 1 May 2012.
Funny Man Gets His Oats
Fresh from a series of breakthrough performances in London, Sean Hegarty, one of Northern Ireland's rising comedy stars was in Belfast yesterday to help local cereal producer White's launch its new range of porridge called Toat'ly Oaty. At a special breakfast, Sean Hegarty, served up the new porridge along with a few jokes to provide people with the best start to the day. To add to the fun Sean was joined by model and TV presenter Katie Larmour and Cool FM DJ Connor Phillips - straight off the red carpet from the MTV EMA. Danielle McBride, Brand Manager of White's, said: "We all know that having a laugh makes us feel good but laughter also has many benefits for our health. Not only does it promote an overall sense of well-being and happiness, it can also strengthen our immune system, lower stress and boost energy levels allowing us to meet the day-to-day challenges with renewed vigour," adding: "What better way to launch our new instant porridge than by hosting a breakfast event that would provide a bit of humour and craic to show how Toat'ly Oaty can brighten up and inject energy and vitality."
(BMcC/GK)
Two men have been arrested in north Belfast after a police chase that began around 9.20pm on Monday after the driver failed to stop for police on the Long Rig Road in Antrim. Police pursued the vehicle to north Belfast and Glengormley. It was then driven in the wrong direction on the M2 before being stopped by police on the Shore Road as the PSNI helicopter assisted in the operation.
City Alerts
Army bomb experts are attending two separate security alerts in west Belfast, one is at Springfield Drive with Kashmir Road also closed. A second bomb scare is ongoing in the Blacks Road area.
Empey Seeks Better Links
Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Empey will bring forward a debate at the House of Lord's Grand Committee today to ask what plans there are for improving transport links between London and the regions. "Connectivity is vital not only for business but also for making sure that UK citizens are able to access each of the regions easily and are not left feeling dis-attached. While there are proposals for faster rail links and new roads schemes on the Mainland, the regions will suffer heavily if air access to airports in London, especially Heathrow, is threatened," he said. "My main worry is that we could see the George Best Belfast City to Heathrow service cancelled in favour of long haul flights which BA will see as more profitable and I will be raising all of these points with the Department for Transport and I intend to introduce a Private Members Bill (Aviation Access Bill) soon to try and ensure that the regions cannot be denied reasonable access to the principal hub airport in the United Kingdom for both business and leisure travel."
Water Loss
North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey has pressed the Department of Regional Development (DRD) Minister for an assurance to householders in Ballymoney about when safe drinking water will be restored to the 3,000 households who have had to boil drinking and cooking water for nearly a week. The DUP's Mr Storey spoke at DRD Questions in the Assembly and called upon UUP Minister Danny Kennedy to give customers a date when their supply would be restored and to comment upon reports of a further contamination incident. "Whilst communication between Northern Ireland Water and elected representatives may have improved compared to previous incidents, the Minister unfortunately still could not provide an assurance as to when safe drinking water supplies will be restored to all customers in the Ballymoney area. The Minister not only failed to give a conclusive answer today as to when a safe supply will be restored to all customers, but he also ignored a question which was put to him twice about reports of a further contamination to the supply in the area," he said, yesterday.
MOT Changes Loom
A consultation on changes to the MOT test has been announced by the NI Environment Minister Alex Attwood. The changes are proposed because of the increasing sophistication of modern vehicles and the need to standardise European vehicle testing standards. "Modern vehicles incorporate many more electrical safety systems and the European Commission has decided that these systems should now be included in the MOT test. These additional test requirements will ensure vehicles are properly maintained and tested and will also make a significant contribution to road safety and environmental protection," the SDLP Minister said. "The consultation proposes that the MOT test for private cars, heavy and light goods vehicles, public service vehicles and trailers will in future include up to 22 new test items dependent on the vehicle category." To facilitate preparation by motorists and garages for the introduction of the changes, it is proposed that the new test will be carried out on an advisory basis from 1 February to 30 April 2012. If any of the new requirements are found to be defective, the customers will be advised of the issues but the vehicle will not be failed. The changes to the test will become fully effective on 1 May 2012.
Funny Man Gets His Oats
Fresh from a series of breakthrough performances in London, Sean Hegarty, one of Northern Ireland's rising comedy stars was in Belfast yesterday to help local cereal producer White's launch its new range of porridge called Toat'ly Oaty. At a special breakfast, Sean Hegarty, served up the new porridge along with a few jokes to provide people with the best start to the day. To add to the fun Sean was joined by model and TV presenter Katie Larmour and Cool FM DJ Connor Phillips - straight off the red carpet from the MTV EMA. Danielle McBride, Brand Manager of White's, said: "We all know that having a laugh makes us feel good but laughter also has many benefits for our health. Not only does it promote an overall sense of well-being and happiness, it can also strengthen our immune system, lower stress and boost energy levels allowing us to meet the day-to-day challenges with renewed vigour," adding: "What better way to launch our new instant porridge than by hosting a breakfast event that would provide a bit of humour and craic to show how Toat'ly Oaty can brighten up and inject energy and vitality."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 January 2005
DVTA issues mock vehicle test certificates warning
The Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) has warned customers to be on the lookout for invalid vehicle test certificates which might easily be confused with MOTs. The certificates are being issued by a private individual and are headed ‘Vehicle Obligatory Safety Test’, or ‘VOST’. They include a disc similar in format to those issued for an MOT.
DVTA issues mock vehicle test certificates warning
The Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) has warned customers to be on the lookout for invalid vehicle test certificates which might easily be confused with MOTs. The certificates are being issued by a private individual and are headed ‘Vehicle Obligatory Safety Test’, or ‘VOST’. They include a disc similar in format to those issued for an MOT.
16 September 2002
Larne test centre receives top quality award
Management and staff of the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency’s Larne Test Centre have received a top award in recognition of their achievements from Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt today.
Larne test centre receives top quality award
Management and staff of the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency’s Larne Test Centre have received a top award in recognition of their achievements from Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt today.
12 August 2004
Vehicle test centres back on line as staff return to work
The DoE Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) have welcomed a return to work by staff. The strike by members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) has been affecting MOTs and driving tests since mid May this year, but the union announced yesterday that staff are to return to work.
Vehicle test centres back on line as staff return to work
The DoE Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) have welcomed a return to work by staff. The strike by members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) has been affecting MOTs and driving tests since mid May this year, but the union announced yesterday that staff are to return to work.
07 July 2017
Woman Dies In Co Down Road Crash
A woman has died in a three vehicle crash in Co Down. The crash happened on the Belfast Road in Saintfield just before 6pm on Thursday, 06 July. A man is in a stable condition in hospital. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
Woman Dies In Co Down Road Crash
A woman has died in a three vehicle crash in Co Down. The crash happened on the Belfast Road in Saintfield just before 6pm on Thursday, 06 July. A man is in a stable condition in hospital. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
04 December 2008
Motorbiker Minister Launches Test
A Stormont Minister who is well known for his passion for motorcycling has today leapt into the saddle to test drive a new NI test for motorcyclists.
Motorbiker Minister Launches Test
A Stormont Minister who is well known for his passion for motorcycling has today leapt into the saddle to test drive a new NI test for motorcyclists.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
