21/01/2020

Other News In Brief

Traffic Alert: Drivers Urged To Accommodate Slow Moving Ambulance

Drivers using local roads this afternoon, 21 January, are asked to take care to accommodate a slow moving ambulance as it transfers a patient from Belfast to Newry.

The ambulance will be escorted by police as it travels along the A1 from Belfast to Mayobridge.

The route is set out as follows: Along the A1 and into Newry along Dublin Road, Bridge Street, William Street, Kilmorey Street and onto the Warrenpoint dual-carriageway. Through Warrenpoint via Newry Street, Upper Dromore Road to Milltown Street, Burren and then Bridge Road to Tamnaharry Hill Road, Mayobridge.

Motorists are urged to be patient to ensure the wellbeing of the patient onboard.

Warning After Vehicle Stolen As Keys Left In Ignition

Drivers are being advised to prioritise their security following an opportunistic burglary in County Antrim.

A motorist in the Cairn Gardens area of Crumlin was heating up their car before work when the incident occurred at around 4am this morning, Tuesday 21.

An "opportunistic" person or persons made off with the vehicle after the keys were left in the ignition.

The car was recovered a short distance away about an hour later.

Police warned members of the public against making theft easy for criminals after several similar thefts in other places.

New Belfast Tax Office Opens

A new tax office has been officially opened in Belfast city centre.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) moved into the new Erskine House development on Chichester Street after over two years of development.

The new Belfast hub is one of 13 new regional centres to open across the UK.

Around 1,600 HMRC employees have moved into the eight-storey building over the past number of weeks.

This modern building will allow the department to work in new ways, delivering an effective service for customers and providing a modern and collaboratively working environment for civil servants.

By moving to modern and smarter workspaces, HMRC will save more than £300 million by 2025 and will make annual savings of around £90 million by 2026.

Michael Graham, Group Executive Chairman of GRAHAM, said: "We were delighted to be awarded the building and interior fit out contracts for this prestigious eight-storey building. We hope that the state of the art and collaborative workspace will be a great place for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) employees to work.

"Erskine House is an iconic Belfast project and we were thrilled to play an instrumental role in reinvigorating this city centre space."

Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary of HMRC, added: "The opening of Erskine House as the Belfast Regional Centre is exciting and marks an important milestone on a journey to transform the way HMRC operates and interacts with its customers.

"This modern building will bring teams together so they have the opportunity to work differently and more effectively.

"Crucially, it will deliver an efficient service for our customers, making HMRC a tax authority fit for the future."



(JG/CM)

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