Welcome to How I Do It, the series in which we give you a seven-day sneak peek into the sex life of a stranger.

This week, we hear from Phoebe*, a 29-year-old lawyer living in London, who up until recently has been in a nine-month ‘just sex’ situationship with her colleague, Jared*.

‘I’d just come out of a three-year relationship when things began heating up between Jared and I, but I never thought anything would actually happen between us,’ she says.

‘But now it’s been months of super hot but rough sex, which I love.

‘I’ve asked him to do things to me that I’ve never done with anyone before. He’s even slapped me in bed, which I found such a turn on.’

The problem is, Jared doesn’t want a girlfriend who is as financially successful as Phoebe. He wants to feel like the provider, so he’s told her they can never be in a relationship.

Since then, she’s given him the cold shoulder, but despite having plenty of male attention, no one is scratching the itch that Phoebe has for wild sex.

‘I’m going on dates with really hot and lovely guys, but I spend all my time thinking about Jared,’ she adds.

Without further ado, here’s how Phoebe got on this week…

The following sex diary is, as you might imagine, not safe for work.

Monday

I’m up and in the office by 9am and when I walk in, Jared and I immediately lock eyes.

We’ve been sleeping together for the past nine months after he broke up with his ex. I was actually part of the reason they ended their five year relationship — we kissed on a work trip to LA after months of flirting, and he later left her.

But we haven’t become boyfriend and girlfriend. In fact, I can’t even look at him without feeling conflicted.

I’ve fallen for him, but we’re absolutely not compatible. His views on women are a problem, but I do like how rough and dominant he is in bed. It doesn’t make any sense.

I’ve endeavoured to ignore him for now, after he dismissed my feelings when I said we were more than just a hookup.

I can feel him staring at me all day, but I keep my eyes fixed on my screen. 

I get home late and head to the gym before going to bed.

Tuesday

Again I head into work, but today I’m wearing a tight skirt for after-work drinks, and maybe to torture Jared. Again, I ignore him. All day. 

He sends me a message about a meeting but I write a blunt, no fuss response and he gets the hint. 

Once I clock off, I head to a bar to meet a friend, Ryan. We’ve always been friends, but it’s always had a flirty undertone to it.

He’ll make comments on how good I look and is sometimes quite handsy, it’s pretty obvious that if I wanted to, I could. And tonight, I want to. 

He’s very tall, well built and has an impossibly charming smile, and we laugh over two drinks at the bar, before I suggest getting a bottle and taking it back to mine.

He only lives two streets away from me, so there’s a good chance that if it’s good tonight, this will become a regular hookup. 

Half a bottle in, I hold his gaze and look at his lips, giving him the signal. He’s practiced at this and immediately takes the hint, leaning in and kissing me on the sofa. He’s good, really good, and our breathing gets heavy as he lays me back. 

I’m immediately wet, this has been a long time coming and I can tell in the way he’s devouring me.

He goes down on me right there and it’s not long before I’m close to orgasm. Then he pulls away and takes his t-shirt and jeans off, settling over me and pushing into me. It feels incredible and we go at it for about 10 minutes before I climax. 

He finishes shortly after, and in that moment I’m deeply satisfied. We curl up in bed and while I’m content, I hate that there’s a niggling thought in my mind that Jared would’ve done it better.

Wednesday

I kick Ryan out of my bed early, take a shower and head to work. I feel a little smug at the events of last night and Ryan texts me to say it was as good as he’d hoped it would be, and to message him whenever. 

I’m in some meetings with Jared today and I can tell it’s bugging him that I’ve been radio silent. After all, we’ve spent nine months acting like boyfriend and girlfriend, he even helped me move house and built my furniture. 

The day drags a little but I get home and order food in, watching an episode of Heated Rivalry. I fall asleep but wake up to a buzz from my phone. It’s Jared.

‘Are you giving me the silent treatment?’ 

I ignore it, and drift off again.

Thursday

I’m working from home today and that’s ideal because I have a second date.

He’s a guy I met on Hinge, and to be honest I don’t think he really has any flaws. He’s handsome, pays for everything, plans the dates and takes the initiative — who knew men like this still existed? 

We laugh a lot and he likes how self-sufficient and career driven I am, which is the total opposite of Jared. 

He comes back to mine and we begin making out. It’s not long before I slip my hand into his boxers and he gets hard. We both go down on each other which is great, but as soon as I get on top, he struggles to stay hard. I tell him it’s fine and we switch positions but again, no luck.

Eventually it’s a little awkward and we give in, instead he just stays the night and we cuddle. Hopefully he was just nervous and, if we have date number three, next time it will be better.

Friday

After a long busy day at work, I get a text from Jared. 

He wants to come over. My heart flutters.

Of course he does, he wants sex. But it’s not like we were exclusive or anything.

I leave it and go and see some friends at a cute pub for dinner. My friends ask me why I want a man like Jared, with all of his archaic views. I wish I had the answer.

We laugh a lot and I try to forget my boy troubles, if just for a little while.

Saturday

I’m off to my yoga class this morning, before grabbing brunch with my sister. It’s great to catch up, as she has her own flat now and is all grown up. I’m so proud of her. 

By the time evening rolls around, I’m really missing Jared. I miss the electric connection we have and the intense attraction, coupled with sex that practically makes me forget my own name.

I know I shouldn’t, but I call him. He doesn’t answer but then immediately calls me back. 

He’s out with friends and jokingly reprimands me for ignoring him. He does agree to come over in the next hour though.

He gets in and there’s little to no small talk, my heart beats fast. He grabs my face and we begin making out passionately, as we make our way to the bedroom.

He strips my clothes off and does the same for himself before bending me over and going down on me like I’m all he’s ever needed. I orgasm and barely have time to recover before he flips me over and gets on top of me.

He puts his hands on my throat, gently choking me and I enjoy the heady feeling. Then he spits in my mouth as he thrusts. There’s something about how dominant he is, and how I can give up complete control with him which really turns me on.

It’s rough and hard and then he finishes, and we crumple into a heap, breathing hard.

After a few minutes he leads me into the shower, and we kiss each other as we clean off the incredible sex we’ve just had. Then he makes himself at home in my bed and I fall asleep content.

Sunday

He leaves early to go and meet friends, so I’m left with my own thoughts. I know I shouldn’t have caved last night but I feel on a high now. 

I need to move on and find someone new, it’s not that I even want to find a husband. I just want to find someone who is respectful and where there’s an even power dynamic when it comes to dating.

What I do know is I need to avoid Jared. I spend the day reminding myself that was the last time we will ever have sex, and text Ryan to arrange to see each other next week.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

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Richmond Motor Club is set to be given temporary planning permission allowing the motorcycle trial to be held this year while work takes place to draw up plans to mitigate potential damage caused by the event.

The Scott Trial sees around 200 riders tackle a challenging course of around 130km through Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

The event, which will celebrate its centenary this year, attracts some of the best trials bike riders in the world.

Richmond Motor Club has handed out more than £230,000 to local charities and good causes since taking over the running of the trial in 1991.

The majority of the route is within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and passes through protected habitats, three areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and close to numerous archaeological features and scheduled monuments.

The motor club had initially sought either another five-year extension to its planning permission or consent for the event to continue permanently.

However, following discussions with officers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the application has been amended to provide temporary consent while work takes place on a full planning application aimed at securing the trial’s long-term future.

A report to members of the authority’s planning committee says a recent assessment identified 324 heritage assets within 100 metres of the route, including remains associated with historic lead mining, quarrying and prehistoric and Romano-British settlements.

Historic England has called for “micro-rerouting” wherever possible to avoid sensitive features including structural remains, earthworks and unstable spoil heaps.

Officers say a long-term conservation management plan should accompany any future application for permanent permission.

Concerns have also been raised about the route passing through Birk Park Wood, Arkle Beck Wood and Cuckoo Hill Wood.

Potential damage identified includes soil compaction and rutting, damage to exposed roots and low branches, collisions with trees and the impact of spectators and marshals.

Measures proposed include inspections before and after the event, marking the route every 20 to 30 metres to keep riders away from tree stems and using signs to keep spectators out of ancient woodland.

Officers say a longer-term woodland strategy should form part of any future application.

The authority also wants improved ecological monitoring, with previous measures including fencing sensitive habitats, briefing riders, marshalling and changing routes in subsequent years where damage occurs to allow habitats to recover.

Planning officer Ian Nesbit said in the report: “The applicant (through the agent for the application) has committed to actively engaging with officers of the authority to understand and to agree the various plans, surveys and assessments required for the validation of a new ‘full’ planning application, that if approved, would provide a permanent permission for the trial and look to achieve better, long-term ecological, archaeological and arboricultural outcomes than the current ‘five-year extension’ approach.”

Planning officers have recommended that temporary permission is granted for this year’s event while further work takes place on long-term mitigation measures.

The authority’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

“We are also asking festival-goers to look out for each other and to seek help immediately if someone appears unwell”

The PSNI is urging festival-goers to keep prioritising their safety when attending music events across Northern Ireland.

Key safety messages include planning your journey home in advance, staying with friends and, importantly, being aware of the serious dangers and consequences associated with illegal drugs.

Police say they want everyone to enjoy their day and ensure that “a much-anticipated outing is memorable for the right reasons”.

PSNI Alistair Hagan said: “We want everyone to have an enjoyable and memorable time – and to remember it for all the right reasons

“Working alongside event organisers and health partners, we want festival-goers to stay safe. Simple steps can make a real difference: plan how you will get home before you set off, stay with your friends, and look out for one another.

“I also want to be very clear about the serious, potentially life-changing, risks of taking or supplying illegal drugs. No drugs are safe. The truth is that any illicit drug can have an unknown concoction of ingredients and, put simply, you won’t know what you are actually taking in terms of either components or strength.

“The risks of taking any drugs, or drugs combined with alcohol, are therefore huge. And the sad reality is that the effect can be fatal. Anyone found using or supplying illegal drugs, may face arrest and prosecution. A moment of experimentation, or giving in to peer pressure, can therefore have irreversible consequences for your health, wellbeing and future.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch and Belfast Local Policing Teams with the support of Organised Crime Task Force partners, are carrying out proactive operations across the city.

While collective efforts to tackle illicit drugs are ongoing throughout the year, there is an intensified focus throughout the summer concert season.

Superintendent Hagan continued: “Our proactive policing operation at major festivals includes high-visibility patrols, with stop and search activity at venues and the surrounding areas.

“Amnesty bins will be available at entrance points, allowing people to dispose of substances safely and anonymously.”

He added: “While our primary role is to enforce drug legislation, we are also asking festival-goers to look out for each other and to seek help immediately if someone appears unwell.”

A summer campaign by the independent charity Crimestoppers, using strategically-placed posters and social media messaging, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and encourage people to report information anonymously.

Information can be provided to Crimestoppers, with complete anonymity, by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Support services for anyone affected by drugs or alcohol are available at www.DrugsAndAlcoholNI.info

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

It was supposed to be a birthday trip for her mum

A woman says she feels “angry” as she is still yet to be refunded for a cancelled hot air balloon experience. Back in June, Michelle Bailey from Huntingdon booked a special trip to have afternoon tea in a hot air balloon for her mum’s birthday.

The event cost Michelle £260 and was booked with Feast Events for August 23. Unbeknownst to Michelle, an email landed in her spam folder on July 27 saying that the trip had been cancelled.

Michelle said: “They [Feast Events] said it was cancelled as they couldn’t agree on the grounds. I just thought, well I’ll get my money back.”

Michelle expected a refund back within two weeks “at the latest”. However, it passed the date of when the event was due to take place, and she still hasn’t received a refund over a month after being told that the event was no longer happening.

Michelle added: “I did a bit of Googling and managed to track down the owner. She said it was taking longer than they first thought and they were working hard to refund everyone.”

Michelle says she has been left out of pocket and had to spend more money to book something else for her mum’s birthday.

“I’m angry,” said Michelle. “This company has taken all of this money off people. I have had people messaging me and some have forked out over £600. I feel upset that it’s not gone ahead. I’ve had to pay more money out to take my mum out. This shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”

Michelle is now trying to get her money back through her bank. A spokesperson for Feast Events said they last contacted Michelle on August 21 with an update on her refund.

The spokesperson said: “We have been operating pop-ups and immersive dining experiences for over six years. It is an incredibly rare occasion for us to cancel an experience. All guests who have been affected by our cancellation have been offered a full refund, with a number of guests opting to transfer to one of our other dining experiences instead.

“Whilst we are currently experiencing a delay due to the volume of refunds that we are processing, many guests have already been successfully refunded. We are devastated not to be proceeding with Feast on Cloud 9 this year. We understand that our guests have suffered from this cancellation and we are working hard to put things right. We sincerely apologise to all guests who had their booking cancelled.”

Nepal and China have both warned of fresh risks of flooding as authorities scramble to respond to a catastrophe that has killed more than 469 people and left hundreds missing.

The Nepalese disaster authority said a lake created at the site of the flooding was at risk of a potentially disastrous breach.

And China warned that water equivalent to 1,200 Olympic swimming pools is expected to flow into an already dammed lake on ⁠its side of the border over the next three days, creating a high risk of its banks bursting.

Basanta Raj Adhikari, the director of the Centre for Disaster Studies at the Tribhuvan University in Nepal, told the BBC that there was a risk that conditions worsen today or tomorrow, including landslides.

The situation on the ground has complicated rescue efforts, with at least 1,000 people still unaccounted for, including almost 650 foreigners and 33 British tourists swept up in Wednesday’s flooding caused by a glacier collapse.

The president of the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management said the disaster came at them like a “tsunami from the sky”.

“It’s such a huge debris, and everything on the way was completely washed out,” said Bishal Nath Upreti. “Villages along almost 40km to 50km [30 miles] were completely wiped out.”

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Torrent tore through border crossing

Chinese rescuers had yet to reach the worst-hit area on the Chinese side of the border, the Gyirong border crossing, by Thursday evening, state media reports indicated, as crews worked to clear debris from the key access road leading to ‌the area.

The Gyirong border port has a key role in China’s Belt and Road network linking the country to South Asia, with logistics zones and parking lots built there in the past decade. Dramatic footage on Wednesday showed enormous torrents of muddy water and debris tearing through structures in the border crossing area within seconds and engulfing people trying to flee.

The tally of missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County was 558, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on Thursday, including 260 foreign nationals.

So far, just three people have been confirmed dead on the Chinese side. China’s Premier Li Qiang, the country’s No 2 official, arrived at the ⁠disaster-stricken site in Gyirong on Thursday afternoon, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

The visit suggested Beijing was treating the disaster as a matter of the highest national priority.

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Namita Singh28 August 2026 04:54

Rescuers scour Nepal flood debris as risk of fresh flooding grows

Rescue teams using heavy machinery dug through mud and debris in Nepalese towns devastated by a flash flood two days ago, as hopes of finding survivors faded and officials worked to reduce the risk of fresh flooding.

The confirmed death toll in Nepal was at 469 people early on Friday, with hundreds more missing there and in neighbouring Tibet, near where a glacier collapse on Wednesday morning sent a huge torrent of rock, ice, mud and debris cascading through Himalayan ⁠mountain river systems.

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The flood ripped through villages and valleys, destroying power stations, roads and bridges along a route that links Kathmandu with Lhasa in Tibet and is popular with trekkers and pilgrims.

Of those missing, at least 650 are foreigners. Authorities in Nepal used helicopters to search for survivors and drop emergency supplies to thousands cut off in towns and valleys, while emergency services – some using sniffer dogs – recovered dozens of bodies swept down into the plains.

Namita Singh28 August 2026 04:34

Nepal death toll jumps to 469

The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal has jumped to 469, said the police.

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A glacier collapse on Wednesday morning sent a huge torrent of rock, ice, mud and debris cascading through Himalayan ⁠mountain river systems.

The flood ripped through villages and valleys, destroying power stations, roads and bridges along a route that links Kathmandu with Lhasa in Tibet and is popular with trekkers and pilgrims.

Namita Singh28 August 2026 04:11

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Nepal and China warn of second flood from newly formed lakes

Nepal and China both warned on Thursday of fresh risks of flooding in the Himalayas as two lakes that have developed on either side of their border threaten to burst in a region still grappling with this week’s catastrophic flood.

Search -and-rescue operations are still under way in the debris-strewn valleys and hillsides for the more than 1,000 people still missing.

Both countries have blamed the flood on a glacier collapse that pushed rock, ice, mud ⁠and debris into river systems in the mountains.

Nepal’s disaster ​authority ⁠issued a notice on Thursday warning that a lake formed by debris blocking a river at the flood site is rising and at risk of ⁠bursting.

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Jane Dalton28 August 2026 04:00

‘I’m broken – I have no one else,’ says sister of missing pilgrim

Many victims ⁠were pilgrims heading to Kailash Mansarovar, a high-altitude site in Tibet revered by Hindus and Buddhists.

Around the world, relatives ‌of those missing were desperate for information about their loved ones.

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Vasanthi Muniandy, whose sister ​Vennila was part of a Hindu pilgrimage group from Malaysia, said she had last heard from her after Vennila had crossed into ‌Tibet from Nepal.

“I am totally broken. My sister is very important to me,” said Vasanthi. “I really want her ​to come back. I don’t have anyone but her. I just want her to come back home. I want her to be safe.”

Sagar Pandey, the chief executive of a Himalayan tourism operator, told Reuters after flying over the zone in a helicopter: “There are no human-made things, no human settlement left. Everything is just flat.

“So anyone in the hotel, the restaurant, or the car, I believe that everybody is gone.”

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Jane Dalton28 August 2026 03:00

Bodies found 62 miles from disaster area

The Red ‌Cross said entire villages in Nepal had been destroyed and impassable roads and bridges had left communities cut off.

Rescue teams located 100 missing Indian visitors, mostly pilgrims, and 25 Chinese workers in the worst-hit region around Trishuli.

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The flood “came in suddenly and exploded like a bomb,” said survivor Janak Bahadur.

Ganesh Aryal, administrator of Chitwan district, said authorities had recovered 103 bodies from the river system in his ⁠district, which is about 62 miles away in the plains from the worst-hit region of Trishuli.

With local hospitals unable to accommodate all the bodies, district authorities were setting up tents and making arrangements for families to claim their dead relatives, he said.

Jane Dalton28 August 2026 02:00

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Rescuers ‘yet to reach worst-hit area in China’

Chinese rescuers had yet to reach the worst-hit area on the Chinese side of the ​border, the Gyirong ⁠border crossing, by Thursday evening, state-media reports indicated.

Crews were working to clear debris from the key access road leading to the area.

All the buildings in the border-crossing complex, including the border gate, a stately building bearing China’s national emblem and housing customs and immigration agencies, were destroyed by the mudslide, footage showed.

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The entire compound was reduced to an unrecognisable mass, caked in thick, muddy ‌debris and almost devoid of any sign of civilisation, the footage showed.

The tally of missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County was 558, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on Thursday, including 260 foreign nationals.

Jane Dalton28 August 2026 01:00

Watch: Terrifying CCTV shows people fleeing seconds before water engulfs Nepal-Tibet border

Jane Dalton27 August 2026 23:59

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Timeline of deadly Himalayan disasters

Jane Dalton27 August 2026 23:00

Jane Dalton27 August 2026 22:30

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Enzo Maresca believes Phil Foden can step up on and off the pitch this season as Manchester City’s new era takes shape.

The Blues have seen a significant player turnover this summer with key players such as Rodri and Bernardo Silva departing and a host of fringe players also leaving. Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi have arrived and City are expected to add further between now and Tuesday’s deadline.

Foden is the longest-serving player at the Etihad but has struggled for his best form since spearheading City to the title in 2024, the year he was named Premier League player of the year.

The 26-year-old was used on the right flank in the opening day win over Bournemouth with Jeremy Doku out injured but Maresca feels Foden’s best position is in the No.10 role where he will vie with Rayan Cherki to be first choice.

And while Foden had bright moments against the Cherries, he couldn’t stamp his authority on the contest but Maresca felt there were positive signs and believes there is more to come from a player who he hopes will grow into a leader at City this season.

‘I’m quite happy for Phil’s game, the last game against Bournemouth, to be honest,” said Maresca. “Also, he played winger. Second half he was a little bit more inside the pitch. That is the position that we know is the best position for him.

“But again, in this moment, with the Jeremy injury, we are trying to find solutions. I’m happy with the feeling, the way it was the other day, knowing for sure that he is going, he can give much more. But no doubt that is going to be, again, the Phil that we all know and we all want.”

Foden signed a four-year contract at City last month and has a close bond with Maresca, who phoned him after Thomas Tuchel left the midfielder out of his England World Cup squad.

The City boss has taken counsel from staff members at the Etihad on how Foden looks ‘completely different’ in terms of mood and what he is showing in training, and Maresca feels the signs are good for the campaign.

“I don’t know if he can be one of the leaders,” Maresca added ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace on Friday night. “But for sure, because many players left he has to give one step forward in terms of personality, leadership, and these kind of things. But again, since day one I’m very happy, very pleased, with the way he’s working, and also in the way he’s with, you know, his mood – happy, he’s good.”

“We must get this right, and getting effective live monitoring in place needs to be an urgent priority.”

A Northern Ireland council has refused to disclose details of how its CCTV operations are monitored despite “grave concerns” raised following their handover to the local authority.

CityWatchNI had watched over Lisburn, Moira and Hillsborough public areas for over 25 years before being liquidated in July and a transfer of assets made to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

However, councillors have now raised concerns over the extent of monitoring of the camera system now located in Lagan Valley Island civic centre.

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Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Lisburn South DUP Alderman Paul Porter said: “Knowing what I know, I do have grave concerns about the CCTV monitoring.

“As a result that is why I raised these matters in council and asked to discuss in confidential session due to the sensitivities involved.

“I did say in chambers that I had serious concerns over this whole issue and I understand there are legacy council issues and I welcome the council taking this CCTV over.

“However, there needs to be more clarity on when the cameras are both recording and monitored to give the public confidence, the council needs to be open and transparent in regards to these issues.

“I have continued to address my concerns to the council following the chamber meeting and I would ask that they be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

In chambers this week, the council locked out the public and the media to discuss the concerns raised over live viewing of the CCTV as a preventative measure to crime.

In open session, CEO David Burns said: ”In terms of the amount of recording and monitoring that we are doing it is more than has ever happened in CityWatch in the past while, just to give you assurance that cameras are being monitored.”

According to the CityWatch website, the crime prevention charity was set up by Lisburn City Council in July 2001 and went into voluntary liquidation “due to a redirection of funding away from Citywatch”.

The website adds that the aim of the company was to detect, prevent and reduce crime and the fear of crime in dedicated areas across NI.

Speaking to the LDRS, Lisburn North independent councillor Gary Hynds added: ”After concerns were raised with me by members of the public, I contacted the council and was advised by a director that the previous part-time in-person surveillance by CityWatch operatives has not yet been replicated due to infrastructure issues.

“I subsequently raised this directly in the chamber and was told that CCTV monitoring was continuing. I believe clear clarification is now required about exactly what live, in-person monitoring is currently taking place, if any. Recording and live monitoring are not the same thing.

“Live monitoring is an important part of a proactive approach to crime prevention and deterrence, as well as supporting the PSNI. We must get this right, and getting effective live monitoring in place needs to be an urgent priority.”

The LDRS contacted the council for clarity on the matter with the local authority alluding to a risk-based approach to CCTV monitoring.

A spokesperson said:”Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has maintained CCTV monitoring services following the transfer of CityWatch assets to the council.

“The CCTV monitors are located at Lagan Valley Island. The council manages a risk-based approach to CCTV monitoring on a 24/7 basis.

“Operational details relating to monitoring arrangements are not disclosed due to their connection to crime prevention and anti-social behaviour activities. No public realm cameras or cameras located on council estates have been decommissioned and CCTV coverage remains in place across the existing network.

“All appropriate governance processes have been undertaken in relation to the transfer and operation of the service. Following the winding up of CityWatch, the council has remained committed to maintaining CCTV services and will continue to brief elected members as required.

“The current CCTV monitoring arrangements are funded from within existing agreed revenue budgets.”

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

“That is where cities are moving, and we do not want to fall behind the times”

Belfast City Council is to formally propose to Stormont the pedestrianisation of Donegall Place and Castle Place, following the success of Fleadh.

In 2019, SDLP Councillors Gary McKeown and Dónal Lyons proposed a motion asking Stormont to consider city centre pedestrianisation, after the Primark fire.

At the August meeting of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee on Wednesday, Councillor McKeown said that the motion should be revived, with a particular stress on Donegall Place and Castle Place, in the light of a groundswell of public feeling after the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

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The committee agreed to the proposal, as well as a Sinn Féin suggestion that representatives from the Stormont Department for Infrastructure give councillors an update on their plans. The decisions will have to be ratified at the full meeting of Belfast Council next week, where they are expected to pass.

Two weeks ago, just after the Fleadh, the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said she would forward a consultation including proposals for the expansion of pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre. No details have been given of the consultation, which is part of the Eastern Transport Plan, a strategic framework to guide transport policy and investment decisions up to 2035.

11 years have passed since the predecessor framework to the Eastern Transport Plan, the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, expired in 2015. Local representatives have criticised the time it has taken for the ETP to be presented.

Councillor McKeown said at the City Hall meeting: “After the Primark fire, we saw the benefits of pedestrianisation, and it was the council’s view, and many people’s view, that we should use it as an opportunity to springboard to a place where more of the city is transformed into something that is pedestrian friendly.

“In my mind, that would look like something beyond just closing down streets, and more like using it as an opportunity to develop activities, animation, cafes, things that become attractions bringing people into the city. Not just for transactional purposes but to actually increase dwell time.”

He said: “At that time we were concerned that with the barriers being removed around Primark, we would revert back to form, and unfortunately that has been the case. There has been very little movement in trying to identify an opportunity to transform the city centre to something which is much more attractive for people, other than a route for buses to choke up the place with fumes.”

He said: “We saw during the Fleadh that there is a real demand to animate the city centre and populate it. None of us are under the impression that every day is going to be a Fleadh, but it has shown the opportunities that are there for some intelligent use of the city centre.

“What we want to do is to write to the Minister for Infrastructure. I know she is proposing to carry out a consultation, but there is a lack of specificity around that.

I am asking this committee to reiterate the point it made back in 2019.”

He proposed writing to Minister Liz Kimmins specifically requesting Donegall Place and Castle Place be included in a pedestrianisation programme, “and anywhere else in the periphery deemed appropriate” in collaboration with Belfast City Council, the Stormont Department for Communities and other partners. He said this would make the city centre “person focused and not vehicle focused.”

He said: “When you look at the core of other cities, you see Grafton Street pedestrianised in Dublin and, as it is soon to be, Oxford Street in London. That is where cities are moving, and we do not want to fall behind the times in what we are offering.

“This is an opportunity, and the Fleadh showed it, in sharp contrast to what it is normally like, to make this city centre something that actually works for people, rather than just providing a route for vehicles. But we have to push for that, and it is frustrating sometimes.

“It has to be done in a way that is appropriate, and facilitates access for deliveries and people with disabilities. If that can be done in other cities, there is no reason why it cannot be done here.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Ronan McLaughlin said: “Councillor McKeown is right that the Fleadh has shown increased pedestrianisation for the city centre is a good thing. But we also have to make it accessible.” He said it had to “be made as inclusive a space as possible.”

He added: “I would probably go further, because we do need to take the talk of pedestrianisation into action. The Minister has said she is looking to release the Eastern Transport Plan. We should ask that a further briefing is given to this committee in relation to proposals within the ETP.”

Alliance Councillor Fiona McAteer said: “We have to be very careful that people with mobility issues are getting in at the very beginning. As everyone will have seen on social media, people were complaining they would not be able to use Belfast city centre the way they used to.”

She said: “It is not going to be 24 hours/seven days a week. It could be one day a month, or “diet traffic” where lanes are reduced, there are lots of different things we could do. But we have to make sure we are talking to the right people from the beginning, so that no one feels left out.”

SDLP Councillor Dónal Lyons said: “I was lucky to go to Galway over the summer, where I was struck by the fact that on 5pm on a Friday evening, in the West End of Galway, you will see half a dozen forklifts come out with concrete blocks, and just pedestrianise an area for the weekend. People flood in and enjoy the streets.

“One fellow I was talking to, a wheelchair user, welcomed it because he didn’t have to be dodging traffic in medieval streets of cobblestones, a similar environment to our cathedral quarter. Of course there is a solution to all of these questions, and a further briefing on the Eastern Traffic Plan would be useful.”

DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting said: “We have to be really careful, and it has to be a really in-depth consultation, because we need to protect that access for people with disabilities, and we don’t want to be counter-productive by asking people to use public transport more and then restricting routes they are used to.”

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It comes as part of Labour’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls

Andy Burnham has announced the Government will roll out investigators across the UK tasked with tackling violence against women and girls. Specialist rape and sex offences investigators will be introduced to every police force by the end of next year

The Prime Minister criticised an original summer 2029 deadline for the teams to be set up as “too slow”, bringing it forward by 18 months. He added that ministers must be “laser focused on stamping out these vile crimes”.

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The measures were first announced under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership in December 2025 as part of a violence against women and girls strategy. Speaking today (August 27), Mr Burnham said: “The scale of violence and abuse suffered by women and girls in this country is unacceptable. We must be laser focused on stamping out these vile crimes.

“These measures were going to be introduced in 2029, but I think that’s too slow. So we’re taking action to accelerate the roll out of specialist rape and sexual offence teams, who will go after perpetrators, enforce strict new protection orders to protect survivors, and invest in programmes to intensively manage offenders to break the cycle of abuse.”

Safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur said: “We are going further and faster to ensure victims and survivors of these devastating crimes get the protection and support they deserve.

“By ensuring every police force has specialist rape and sexual offence teams sooner, and funding for new protection order teams, we are strengthening our response, relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and helping victims live their life without fear.”

Funding has also been announced to bolster protection orders, which can be enforced through electronic tagging, exclusion zones and behaviour change programmes.

Up to 10 police forces across England and Wales will receive a share of a £13.3 million pot to help specialist teams improve the enforcement of the orders to better protect victims.

Domestic abuse protection orders are being rolled out with no maximum duration, meaning victims will not need to repeatedly apply for continued protection.

Under the orders, courts can set conditions for as long as needed to protect victims of all forms of domestic abuse, including physical, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse and stalking.

A programme aimed at curbing reoffending by working with abuse perpetrators to address issues such as drug and alcohol misuse, first announced in July last year, is also being expanded.

Guidance and training on establishing specialist rape and sex offences teams has been made available to police forces by the Home Office and the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection.

The announcement comes as Mr Burnham faces pressure over the early release scheme to avert prison overcrowding, with campaigners urging him to exclude male perpetrators of violence against women or pause the scheme due to start in October.

Charities have warned him it “directly contradicts” Labour’s manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris is due to set out findings of his review of the scheme when Parliament returns from summer recess next week.