Councillor James Cochrane

Deputy Mayor of Ards & North Down Borough Council. DUP Councillor for Bangor East & Donaghadee DEA.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Honoured to be installed as Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down for the coming year. Thank you to my DUP colleagues for their trust and to the people of Bangor East & Donaghadee for electing me. I look forward to working with Mayor Cllr Craig Blaney and serving our Borough.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

A true honour to be Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council for 2026/27.

#NewProfilePic

[Peter Weir @LordWeirDUP]

Massive congratulations to Councillor Craig Blaney and @CochraneDUP1 on becoming thd new Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down. They are both great representatives and in particular I have known James for many years. They will do a great job and I wish them well

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Great to see such a well-supported County Down Junior Orange Parade in Donaghadee today, led by the always-impressive Flutes & Drums. The return parade leaves from The Commons/Parade at 3:30pm. If you’re free, call down and show your support for the bands and Juniors taking part.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Great to attend our North Down DUP Business Networking Breakfast this morning at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, with guest speakers @GRobinsonDUP and @little_pengelly .

We will continue to support enterprise and back those creating jobs and opportunities across North Down.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

🧡💜 Junior Orange Parade Day this Saturday 🥁

📍Donaghadee – Co Down Junior Grand Lodge
🕛 12 noon | 🎶 17 bands

📍Bangor – Co Armagh Junior County
🕦 11:30am | 🎶 16 bands

Only a few miles apart – support both if you can! #JuniorOrange #NorthDown

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Deeply humbled to have received the support of the DUP Group to serve as Deputy Mayor of Ards & North Down for the incoming year. It is a tremendous honour. I look forward to working alongside the incoming Mayor to serve our communities and showcase the very best of our Borough.

[Translink @Translink_NI]

📆 Spring Bank Holiday timetables are now available online.

Be sure to plan your journey online - https://t.co/2AeUXsajPH

[Northern Ireland Water @niwnews]

⚠️Water Supply Interruption⚠️

We’re currently aware of an issue affecting water supply in the area of👇

#BT21 #Bangor #Donaghadee and surrounding areas

Our teams are in attendance working to resolve the problem.

For updates 👉🏼 https://t.co/PQFnACr23V
Aaron

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Great to call down to Sea Bangor this afternoon. A fantastic atmosphere with plenty to do for all the family, and the weather has really made it. It’s on until 6pm today and returns tomorrow, 12pm–6pm, so make sure to call down and enjoy Bangor’s maritime celebration! 🌊☀️⛵️

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 🌊

A renewed call for urgent investment in coastal defences at Donaghadee Harbour has been made following the successful passage of a Council motion highlighting the increasing risks facing the area.

The wording of motion was as follows-

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫.

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝.

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐮𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐨𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.

Cllr James Cochrane said he is pushing for immediate action after recent infrastructure failures, including the collapse of part of the sea wall, which exposed serious vulnerabilities. He stressed that Donaghadee Harbour is a vital historic asset and called on the Department for Infrastructure to step up and deliver the protections required. He also recognised the proactive work of Donaghadee Sailing Club and Donaghadee Community Development Association, alongside ongoing engagement with Peter Martin MLA.

Donaghadee Sailing Club highlighted that worsening weather and recent storms have accelerated damage, but long-identified solutions such as an artificial reef or breakwater could both protect the harbour and enhance marine habitats.

Donaghadee Community Development Association welcomed the growing recognition of coastal challenges, but warned that the lack of a single lead agency for coastal protection in Northern Ireland remains a major gap.

Councillor Eddie Thompson said the priority must now be action, urging Council officers to pursue Shared Island funding as deterioration continues to impact roads and public spaces.

Peter Martin MLA confirmed work is underway to develop a funding bid through the Shared Island Initiative, reaffirming his commitment to working with all partners to deliver progress.

This is about moving from words to action — securing investment and protecting Donaghadee Harbour for future generations.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Delighted to welcome Communities Minister @gordonlyons1 to Donaghadee last night to meet a wide range of local organisations doing outstanding work across our community, including Donaghadee FC, Donaghadee RFC, Ards & Donaghadee Cricket Club, Dee Runners, Donaghadee Seaside Sharkies and Flutes & Drums, Donaghadee.

Many thanks to @StephenDunneMLA for organising such a worthwhile and well-attended visit.

It was a great opportunity to showcase the strength of community spirit in Donaghadee — but also to underline the clear need for further investment as the town continues to grow.

We now need to see real progress at Crommelin Park, including delivery of a much-needed 3G pitch and enhanced facilities to support local clubs and residents. Alongside colleagues, I will continue to press for these much needed upgrades.

Thank you to all the volunteers and groups for the warm welcome and everything you do 👏 ⚽️🏉🏏🥁🏃‍♀️🦈

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

A fantastic day in Holywood for the annual May Day Fair - great to be there with colleagues and see such a strong turnout ☀️

The town was buzzing, with excellent support for local businesses, charities and community groups.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

🚗 Residents’ Parking Scheme – Applications Now Open

The Department for Infrastructure has opened applications for Residents’ Parking Zones.

These zones restrict parking during set times to vehicles with a valid permit or ticket, helping ensure spaces are available for local residents.

If parking is an issue in your area, you can check eligibility and apply here:
https://t.co/OQ1muZMPeg

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

♻ Refuse Collection Arrangements: May Bank Holiday 2026 ♻

Due to the May Bank Holiday, the following schedule has been arranged. Please make sure your container is set out for collection on the appropriate day by 7:00am.

Normal Collection Due:
♻ Monday 4 May >>> will be collected on Tuesday 5 May
♻ Tuesday 5 May >>> will be collected on Wednesday 6 May
♻ Wednesday 6 May >>> will be collected on Thursday 7 May
♻ Thursday 7 May >>> will be collected on Friday 8 May

Please park as responsibly as possible to allow our vehicles to access your street and help us deliver this important frontline service. We would ask all residents for their help and co-operation in returning their emptied bins to their own properties as soon as practicable on collection days.

Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) at Balloo, Ballygowan, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood, Kircubbin, Millisle, Newtownards and Portaferry will be closed on Monday 4 May 2026.

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

Cranley Road Potholes – Update 📍

After raising a number of pothole concerns with DFI, I’ve now received an update confirming that a Work Order has been issued.

The repairs are scheduled to be completed as part of a wider programme of works in the area.

I know these issues are frustrating for residents and drivers, so I’ll be keeping the pressure on and monitoring this closely until the work is done.

[Nigel Farage MP @Nigel_Farage]

The Falklands are and will always be British. 🇬🇧

[Robert Jenrick @RobertJenrick]

These adverts are disgusting and anti-British.

It goes without saying that there would be a national outrage if the tables were turned.

Is anything going to happen or is this now acceptable in two-tier Britain?

[Councillor James Cochrane @CochraneDUP1]

📌 Out of Office

Just a quick note to say I’ll be out of office from tomorrow and will be back on Thursday 23rd April. I’ll have limited access to messages during this time.

If anything urgent comes up, you can contact:

Stephen Dunne MLA
📧 [email protected]
📞 028 91 245 277

Peter Martin MLA
📧 [email protected]
📞 028 91 312 301

Councillor Eddie Thompson
📧 [email protected]
📞 07935 908364

In case of an emergency, please see below-

🚨 Emergency Contacts:
• Police, Fire & Ambulance: 999 (or 101 for non-emergencies)
• NI Housing Executive: 03448 920 901
• Northern Ireland Electricity: 03457 643 643
• Gas Emergency: 0800 002 001
• NI Water: 03457 440 088
• Flooding Line: 0300 2000 100