NEWS

Motorists travelling across Northern Ireland over the Easter weekend are being warned to expect increased police activity on the roads, with officers set to carry out enforcement operations alongside DVA vehicle checks as traffic volumes rise. Police said on the evening of Goid Friday, April 3, that officers will be conducting operations throughout the weekend to ensure vehicles travelling in the area are road-worthy, with a particular focus on routes expected to be busy with

The Met Office has updated its yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland as Storm Dave is now expected to bring a more intense spell of damaging winds from Saturday afternoon into Easter Sunday morning, with forecasters warning that some areas could briefly see gusts of up to 80mph. The updated warning is now in force from 14:00 on Saturday 4 April 2026 until 03:00 on Sunday 5 April 2026, extending the period of concern into the early hours of Easter Sunday. The latest fore

Inset: TUV Braid councillor Anne Henry A major resurfacing scheme is set to begin on Shellinghill Road, Cullybackey, with works scheduled to take place from 20 April to 24 April, in a move welcomed as a much-needed upgrade to one of the area’s long-standing road concerns. The improvement scheme will cover the section of road from the National Speed Limit sign to the railway crossing, addressing what local representatives say has become a road surface far beyond the stage of r

Easter weekend weather across Northern Ireland is set to take a sharp turn, with the Met Office naming Storm Dave as a rapidly deepening Atlantic low-pressure system expected to bring potentially disruptive winds across the region from Saturday afternoon into the early hours of Easter Sunday. After a largely fine and bright start to the week, forecasters say conditions will become significantly more unsettled as the holiday weekend begins, with Northern Ireland among the area

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has issued a strong public safety appeal ahead of what is expected to be a busy Easter weekend on the North Coast, with large visitor numbers set to descend on Portrush and Portstewart. Police say officers will be deployed across key locations including transport hubs, beaches, hospitality venues and residential areas as part of a major effort to keep residents and visitors safe during one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year. Cau

Motorists travelling through Ballyclare tonight are being urged to plan ahead, with a key road set to close for several hours as investigators carry out further testing linked to a fatal collision. Ballyeaston Road will be closed from 9.30pm tonight (Wednesday) until 1am on Thursday, 2 April, to facilitate scene testing as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal collision which occurred in the area on Friday, 15 August, 2025. The closure will affect the stretch of road

Holiday plans across Northern Ireland face possible significant disruption this Easter weekend as the Met Office warns of a rapidly deepening low-pressure system bringing "very strong winds" to the region. The yellow weather warning, which covers all of Northern Ireland including Ballymena and surrounding areas, is set to take effect from 18:00 on Saturday, 4 April , lasting through until midday on Easter Sunday . Meteorologists are tracking an intense weather front moving no

Alderman Stewart McDonald visiting the site of the works. Repeated flooding that left a Ballymena road vulnerable during heavy rainfall has now been addressed, following months of concern from local residents. TUV Bannside Alderman Stewart McDonald has welcomed the completion of works on Cardonaghy Road, describing the issue as a long-standing problem that caused “real disruption” for those living nearby and for motorists using the route. Long-running issue during heavy rain

Families planning Easter getaways are being urged to plan ahead as Translink confirms timetable changes — alongside special seaside trains and discounted travel offers across Northern Ireland. With thousands expected to take advantage of the holiday break, the public transport provider says it is gearing up to offer “comfortable, affordable and hassle-free” journeys for both local trips and longer days out. Holiday timetable changes confirmed Passengers should expect changes

Drivers in Northern Ireland could soon be banned from overtaking stopped buses — and may even be required to slow dramatically or stop — under new proposals aimed at protecting children during one of the most dangerous moments of their school journey. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a public consultation exploring sweeping changes to how motorists behave when passengers, particularly schoolchildren, are getting on or off buses. The proposals come in response

Tens of thousands of road openings carried out by utility companies each year are contributing to the deterioration of Northern Ireland’s road network, Stormont’s Public Accounts Committee has warned — raising concerns that taxpayers may be footing the bill. In a critical report, MLAs said the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) cannot currently determine how much of the growing maintenance burden is linked to utility reinstatements, nor confirm that companies are covering t

Millions of UK workers who rely on their cars for their jobs could soon see long-overdue financial relief, as HM Treasury confirms a review of approved mileage rates ahead of a future Budget. The announcement, issued by the UK Government, comes after more than a decade without change—despite rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs leaving many workers covering the gap themselves. Rates unchanged since 2011 Approved mileage allowance payment rates have remained frozen sin

The zebra crossing following the completion of upgrade works. (Inset) Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley has welcomed the completion of long-awaited safety upgrades to a busy zebra crossing at Braidwater Retail Park, following a series of collisions that raised concerns within the local community. The improvements, carried out at the crossing near Sainsbury’s garage, were completed today (Wednesday 25 March) and are aimed at ma

Motorists across the Ballymena and Ballymoney areas faced disruption this morning after a series of road traffic collisions were reported on key routes, prompting police to urge drivers to seek alternative journeys. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that several incidents occurred on Wednesday 25 March, affecting both commuter and local traffic in the area. Series of collisions on Frosses Road Two separate collisions were reported on the Frosses Road in

Safety concerns raised by local residents have prompted action at a rural junction in north Antrim, with confirmation that improvements are now on the way. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed a response from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), outlining planned measures to improve visibility and safety at the junction of Glenleslie Road and Moneyduff Road, Clough. The move follows representations made by Mr Frew after constituents highlighted ongoing worries about th

Police step up speed enforcement in rural areas including Townhill Road, Portglenone after concerns were raised over speeding vehicles and child safety Fresh police action targeting speeding drivers in Portglenone and The Grange has been welcomed as a “necessary message” to protect children and residents, following growing fears over road safety in the area. TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald has praised the PSNI for carrying out speed enforcement activity in The Grange and Townh

Belfast city (Pic: K. Mitch Hodge) Visitors heading to Belfast for St Patrick’s Day celebrations are being urged to plan ahead, with police warning that several major events will bring traffic disruption across the city centre. A packed schedule of festivities on Monday will see thousands gather for the popular SPAR Craic 10K and the annual carnival parade, prompting road management measures and diversions throughout the day. Police say motorists should expect delays and foll

Motorists and commuters across Northern Ireland are being urged to prepare for difficult travel conditions on Thursday morning as strong winds and heavy rain sweep across the region. A yellow weather warning has been issued covering the period from 6:00am to 12:00pm on Thursday, 12 March 2026 , with forecasters warning that gusty winds combined with heavy rain could disrupt morning journeys. Gusts of up to 60mph possible Southwesterly winds are expected to strengthen during t

Passengers across Northern Ireland are being urged to plan ahead for travel this St Patrick’s Day, as public transport services switch to holiday timetables. Translink has confirmed that buses and trains will operate altered schedules for the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday on Tuesday, 17 March, affecting services across the network. The changes mean many routes will run reduced or alternative timetables typically used during weekends or school holidays. For bus passengers, Uls

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton in Clough Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton have issued a stark warning over dangerous speeding in Clough and Rathkenny, saying it is only a matter of time before a serious injury or fatality occurs unless urgent action is taken. The issue emerged while the pair were leafleting in the area, where residents expressed frustration and fear over vehicles travelling at