News Briefs

Trail troubles

Those who build and maintain trails and the folks who like to pedal them at high speeds are clashing again in Marin County. Dana Beckstoffer, 43, of Petaluma, is one of three mountain bikers who say they narrowly missed being injured by barbed wire and bent fence posts on a narrow pathway off the official Split Rock Trail above Fairfax. "We came upon two barbed wire barriers or booby traps," Beckstoffer recalls angrily. "The barbed wire was strung about neck or head level. For anyone not looking up, it would be very, very hard to see. It would hit you in the head or neck." When she discovered that the barriers were placed by the Marin County Open Space District, she was outraged. Beckstoffer is convincedCommunities minister Paul Givan has announced a facelift for Lisburn.

The Lagan Valley MLA said a £3.7 million project would upgrade footpaths, lighting and street furniture.

The Department for Communities is investing approximately £2 million in this project with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council investing a further £1.7m.

The Lisburn Linkages project will include Bridge Street, Antrim Street, Railway Street, Castle Street, Seymour Street, Bachelor's Walk and Market Place.

Mr Givan stated: "I am delighted that the Council and the Department for Communities are again working together to further enhance Lisburn city centre.

"The success of the earlier phases of work in Lisburn City is clear for all to see, so to have the opportunity now to undertake more work within the city centre is a real boost.

"Lisburn City has a lot to