Monthly Archives: November 2013

A call has been made for the extension of bowel cancer screening amid concern about the high incidence of the disease in Carrick. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs made the appeal during a Stormont debate after discovering the borough has the worst statistics for bowel (colectoral) cancer for men in Northern Ireland. Mr Beggs said: “For the 2006-2010 period the standardised mortality rates for colectoral cancer – which is also known as colon, rectal or bowel cancer – is alarmingly high in the borough of Carrickfergus. At 152.9 the male mortality rate for Carrickfergus is the worst in Northern Ireland. At 121.4 overall it is second only to Moyle district. This makes the need to raise awareness of the screening programme, to increase recognition of the symptoms and to improve early diagnosis urgent.” Speaking in the Assembly debate, the UUP representative added: “One of the aspects of the disease that … Continue reading →

Translink has engaged directly with public representatives to discuss passenger transport in Larne and the wider east Antrim area. The special ‘Meet the Manager’ event provided a platform for discussion around a range of transport matters including bus and train service performance, the arrival of new Ulsterbus coaches, special fares available for local passengers and community engagement activities. Translink’s Sam Todd said: “These sessions are invaluable in terms of providing politicians with an update on local services. We were pleased to welcome representatives on board one of our new Ulsterbus coaches which offer superb passenger comfort, accessibility and reliability. “We were also pleased to report excellent customer performance scores for both bus and rail services in our latest independent monitoring results. For example, Larne Railway Line services achieved a rating of 82.7 – the highest ever recorded. Larne Ulsterbus Station also received a customer satisfaction rating of 92 per cent … Continue reading →

Fresh blow for Mike Nesbitt’s party as Carrick representative jumps ship Beryl McKnight is a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council By Adrian Rutherford – 02 November 2013 An Ulster Unionist councillor who has jumped ship to the DUP has said she didn’t feel part of a team with the UUP. Beryl McKnight, a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council, claimed she was joining “a strong and united party” after complaining of a lack of unity within Mike Nesbitt’s UUP. Mrs McKnight was elected to the council in 2011. Her defection strengthens the DUP‘s position, with the party now holding nine of the 17 seats. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mrs McKnight said it was a difficult but necessary decision to leave the UUP. “I felt I wasn’t in a team,” she said. “I came in to help out, but after a while I felt I didn’t seem to be part of … Continue reading →

PO have emphasised their commitment to the Port of Larne at a meeting with local Ulster Unionist Party representatives. The company pointed to an investment of £15m in a new berthing facility in Cairnryan as a demonstration of their commitment to the Larne – Cairnryan
 route. Both ports are part of the P O Ferries Group of companies. Local construction firm McLaughlin and Harvey have won the contract to build the new Linkspan. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs, along with Larne Mayor Maureen Morrow and Councillor Mark McKinty, met with MD Keith Millar at the harbour office to find out what the future of the 
port is. Mr Beggs said: “It is obvious to anyone that there is much less activity at Larne harbour now than it was the past. “It is a fact that freight traffic has halved in recent years, but I am relieved to some extent that … Continue reading →