“All the while, all we are really doing is watching construction inflation drive this further and further away from us”

The Chief Executive of Belfast Council has criticised a Stormont decision to put the brakes on a plan for a new bridge in South Belfast as “making no sense.”

The top official at City Hall made the comments during a committee meeting in which elected members agreed to demand that the Stormont Department for Infrastructure press ahead with the new Ormeau Bridge, which locals have been waiting on for over 10 years.

Members and officials were discussing the Belfast City Region Deal during the March meeting of the council’s important Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, when SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite successfully proposed the council writes to Stormont urging to end delay on the Lagan pedestrian and cycling bridge. All parties in the chamber supported the proposal.

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The Stormont Department for Infrastructure has put all major infrastructure projects on hold while legal proceedings on the A5 case continue. While the Sinn Féin Minister Liz Kimmins says all infrastructure projects “remain live” some have said the lack of a timetable could mean projects, including the Ormeau Bridge have been effectively kicked into the long grass.

The DfI website states: “The Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge will be a twin-pylon cable-stayed steel bridge spanning 143 metres across the River Lagan from the Lagan Towpath at the Gasworks site to the Ormeau Embankment, close to the ‘Ozone’ indoor tennis centre and leisure complex.”

It adds: “The width of the bridge, at 5 metres, will accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists and improve linkages between communities from both sides of the River Lagan. It will also improve transport linkages to the city centre for pedestrians and cyclists and accessibility to leisure facilities and parks for local communities and commuters.”

Councillor de Faoite said at the Belfast Council meeting: “For some strange reason the Department for Infrastructure has decided that the A5 judgement means that a walking, wheeling, cycling project has to be reviewed in relation to the Climate Change Act. It baffles and bemuses me that they have decided to put on hold an active travel infrastructure piece, which the local community wants, and which has been delayed for around 10 years because of the amount of faffing around with the Executive and Assembly being down. We want to see movement on this as soon as possible.”

He successfully proposed writing to the Department for Infrastructure Minister expressing the council’s “deep frustration” that the bridge project, and also the North/South Glider project, had “ground to a halt”. He said the council would ask for “clarity” on the Lagan pedestrian and cycling bridge, and would urge the Minister to progress the project immediately.

Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth said at the meeting: “In terms of the A5 court case, I think it is really disingenuous how this debate is being shaped, and (what the reason is) for the hold up. It is not about climate versus roads, it is the Department versus competency.

“This is a department that is unaccountable and has been highly dysfunctional for years. It is not a new thing.” He said “a handful of civil servants are calling the shots, to the detriment of everybody across Northern Ireland.”

Chief Executive John Walsh said at the meeting: “As recently as yesterday I was highly critical of this decision, with DfI representatives in the room. It actually makes no sense whatsoever: a, there is no perception of any legal challenge, b, it is a cycling and pedestrian bridge. What part of that do they not get? The A5 climate aspect is not going to come into it, in terms of the construction at this site, to any extent whatsoever.

“All the while, all we are really doing is watching construction inflation drive this further and further away from us. That is my concern, and I have raised that very forcibly.”

Last month in Assembly Questions Minister Kimmins was asked to detail any projects which are now being held back as a result of the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme appeal. The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal is currently reviewing a decision by the High Court last year that quashed approval for the £1.7bn A5 road upgrade. The Department for Infrastructure is seeking to overturn the High Court decision.

Ms Kimmins said: “The outcome of this appeal will have far-reaching implications for all major infrastructure projects pursued by departments across the North. To safeguard my Department’s limited resources, I am carefully considering how to advance other infrastructure schemes in line with the outcome of the A5 judgment.

“To preserve the progress already made, I have ensured these schemes can remain live until the final judgment is delivered through the extension of the tender validity periods for both the A4 Enniskillen Bypass and the Lagan and Pedestrian Cycle Bridge. My officials are also preparing options for my consideration to protect the A1 Junctions Phase 2 project.

“My priority remains the delivery of these vital infrastructure projects, and I am committed to protecting the progress of these schemes as much as possible while the legal process continues.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Two pilots were killed and several passengers and crew were injured when an Air Canada plane collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia airport.

BBC Verify has been using air-traffic-control audio and flight-tracking data to piece together what happened on the runway on 22 March – as Jake Horton explains.

Produced by Aisha Sembhi. Graphics by Mesut Ersoz. Verification by Daniele Palumbo.

“It means that in future, everyone, including families with young children and prams, people with disabilities, and older visitors will be able to experience everything the zoo has to offer through a fully accessible hop-on, hop-off service.”

Belfast Zoo is set to get a new accessible hop-on, hop-off train in a £75,000 investment.

The new train is set to be available for all. SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte described the investment as “an important step in making the attraction more inclusive for visitors”.

Councillor Carl Whyte said: “For years, people have quite rightly pointed out that the steep nature of Belfast Zoo can make it difficult to fully enjoy.

“This investment is a really important step forward. It means that in future, everyone, including families with young children and prams, people with disabilities, and older visitors will be able to experience everything the zoo has to offer through a fully accessible hop-on, hop-off service.

“With the worst of the winter weather behind us, now is a brilliant time to visit Belfast Zoo. It’s home to a wide range of endangered species, all cared for by highly trained animal experts who are doing vital conservation work every day.

“This new addition will help ensure that even more people can enjoy and support that work.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The Richmond Artisan Market, curated by Little Bird Made, launched its first event of 2026 on Sunday March 22 at Richmond marketplace, with stallholders and visitors turning out in force to support small businesses and to celebrate Yorkshire craftsmanship.

Mayor of Richmond Councillor Carl Tate attended the event, spending the morning visiting stalls, meeting traders, and discussing the economic importance of supporting independent artisans.

The Richmond Artisan Market has returned to Richmond, North Yorkshire, launching its first 2026 event on March 22 and drawing strong support for local businesses and Yorkshire craftsmanship (Image: Supplied)

Jackie Crozier, managing director of Little Bird Made, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be back in the heart of Richmond.

“The energy from the local community today reminded us exactly why we love this town.

“It was a particular honour to welcome the Mayor, Cllr Carl Tate.

Richmond Mayor Councillor Carl Tate with stall holders (Image: Supplied)

“As someone who is passionate about the survival of our high streets and small businesses, we truly appreciate him taking the time to speak with our artisans.”

Cllr Tate praised the creativity and spirit on display at the event.

He said: “It was a real pleasure to see our first artisan market of 2026 bring so many people together in the heart of Richmond.

The Richmond Artisan Market has returned to Richmond (Image: Supplied)

“The quality, enthusiasm, creativity and talent of the traders on display was impressive.

“Events like this not only support independent businesses but also reinforce the vibrant spirit that makes our town special.”

Karen Bushell, owner of Love Sewing, said: “It was lovely to see the Mayor of Richmond taking the time to visit small, local, independent artisan businesses at the artisan market.

“We really appreciated him taking the time to welcome us all back after the winter break and spending time chatting with the traders today.”

The Richmond Artisan Market has returned to Richmond (Image: Supplied)

Heather Cumpstone, owner of Kefi Ropemakers, said: “Being a Richmond-based small business, it was lovely for us to meet the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Carl Tate in our home town at the Little Bird Artisan Market.

“We love how he champions small local businesses and look forward to him supporting small local businesses in the future.”

The Richmond Artisan Market will return on Sunday, April 26, from 10am.

For more information or to book a stall, visit www.littlebirdmade.com or email info@littlebirdmade.co.uk.

Speaking about everyday frustrations faced by consumers on his Martin Lewis podcast, the Money Saving Expert founder highlighted the stark difference between joining and leaving services such as broadband, subscriptions and utilities.

“I can set up broadband in five minutes,” said one caller. “Yet to cancel, I have to spend an hour waiting on the phone, being passed between teams and pressured to stay.”

He added that sales teams often answer quickly, while cancellation departments can leave customers waiting far longer – something he believes should be addressed by regulation.

“My view has always been quite simple,” Lewis replied. “I should get out of something the same way I got into it.

“If I signed up online, I should be able to cancel online. If I called, I should be able to call.”

The issue is particularly important for vulnerable consumers, including older people and those with mental health challenges, who may struggle with complex or drawn-out cancellation processes.

The good news for consumers is that change could be on the way. Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, companies may soon be required to ensure customers do not have to put more effort into cancelling a subscription than they did to sign up.

The proposed rules would mean:

• Customers can cancel using the same method they signed up with
• Only one contact may be required to end a subscription
• Firms must simplify and streamline exit processes

However, while the law has been passed, the detailed rules needed to enforce it are still being developed.

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The government must introduce secondary legislation before the changes come into force.

Originally expected earlier this year, the timeline has now shifted, with final rules likely to be confirmed later in 2026 following a consultation process.

Until then, Lewis says consumers should remain cautious — and be aware that, for now, cancelling some services may still take far longer than signing up.

“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, which means that all children and young people are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning in reality, given the fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those with ASN.

The Station pub in Stockton has been given the go-ahead to transform part of a cobbled back alley into a small beer garden under strict time and noise controls.

The application, made by Paul Simpson, proposes using a 12-metre stretch of the alley between Alma Street and Inkerman Street for outdoor seating and storage for the pub.

According to planning documents, the area, which is currently described as “untidy and litter-strewn,” will be fenced off, with two benches for about eight people, and part used for a screened bin and storage space.

Stockton Borough Council allowed the transformation under delegated powers, making the decision on Monday, March 23.

The Station pub in Stockton has won approval to turn a ‘scruffy’ alleyway into a beer garden. (Image: GOOGLE)

The new beer garden can only open between 9.30am and 10pm daily and no amplified music or sound will be allowed in the area.

Council highways officers raised no objection to the proposal but recognised that the alley does provide rear access to several properties, and any gating must be settled privately between owners.

Environmental health officers initially objected, saying there was “insufficient information” on hours, number of seats and noise management.

Concerns were raised about the potential noise that the beer garden could generate, affecting nearby homes on Inkerman Road and Alma Street.

However, planning officials believe the limited scale of the development, access via the pub’s lobby, and the added conditions should keep any disturbance to an acceptable level.

The report from the planning officer described the external seating facility as an “investment in an existing town-centre business,” which will enhance Stockton’s evening economy and town-centre vitality.

Damian John Hunter, 39, made a stabbing move with the weapon towards his sibling’s eye, said Eleanor Durdy prosecuting, at York Crown Court.

When police arrived, he was on top of her with the six-inch knife and she was screaming.  Officers had to taser him when he refused to put the knife down.

In her personal statement, the sister said Hunter behaved badly when he had delusions that he was his non-existent wife, ‘Veronica’.

‘Veronica’ can be very nasty, she said.

“I do believe on the day he assaulted me, ‘Veronica’ was in control of his actions,” she said.

Judge Simon Hickey accepted a psychiatrist’s report that Hunter had an emotionally unstable personality disorder and a psychotic condition.

But, he said, Hunter has a long history of violent offences, including carrying a knife, had been drinking vodka before assaulting his sister, and knew how alcohol made him behave.

“You have to take in hand your own life and accept the consequences for your actions,” he told Hunter.

He jailed Hunter for two years.

Ms Durdy said Hunter had got angry while the siblings were preparing for the roast dinner he had suggested they have.

He jumped on his sister, put her to the ground, bit her check and told her: “I will stab the … out of you”.

After she got up, he grabbed her from behind, and bit her on the back.

She managed to get out away from him and when he got a knife and accosted her friend outside the house, she tried unsuccessfully to lock him out.

But he got in, put her to the ground again and holding her head down, put the knife to her cheek and neck and made a stabbing move towards her eye.

Ms Durdy said the sister “wants her brother to receive help for his mental health and to see him again”.

Emily Hassell, defending, said Hunter had committed the offences within weeks of being released from a psychiatric unit where he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act for the third time in five years.

A psychiatrist had assessed him as needing ongoing treatment.

Hunter, of Briercliffe, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to his sister and threatening her with an offensive weapon in private.

Ms Durdy said the sister had allowed Hunter to stay at her house because he had no electricity in his.

When they went to buy the ingredients for the chicken roast, Hunter had bought vodka which he started drinking when they got back to her home.

Ms Hassell said Hunter had got a job working in a Malton factory after he was released from a previous sentence, but had lost it in the Covid pandemic.

His mental health had gone downhill after that.

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Today, we try and get to the bottom of whether or not Iran and the US might be meeting at the negotiating table.

Whilst President Trump has previously said the two countries have already had productive conversations, Iran has denied the reports.

Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent and Parham Ghobadi, senior reporter for BBC Persian explain who might be involved if talks do go ahead and the latest we know about what’s happening inside Iran.

Plus, Faisal Islam joins Adam for a deep dive into how all the uncertainty is affecting the economy. They unpack Rachel Reeves’ address to the House of Commons today and the measures she might take if the situation continues to escalate.

Apply for tickets to Castfest here https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026

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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producers were Jem Westgate, Beth Pritchard and Sophie Millward. The technical producer was James Piper. The assistant editor was Jack Maclaren. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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