Antrim Coast Road Erosion In Focus

The impact of both the recent extreme weather and natural erosion on the world-famous Antrim Coast Road - the A2 - has been under the spotlight this week.

NI Roads Minister, Conor Murphy, joined Roads Service staff to assess the effects which led to a number of road closures.

These were due to damage caused to the rock faces, slopes and sea-defences due to erosion and extreme weather conditions, ranging from rock falls near Carnlough, land slips at the village of Glenarm and more recently the sea defences washed away at Ballygalley.

Minister Murphy said: "It is quite staggering to see the power of nature at work along this beautiful coastline (with Carnfunnock, pictured here by Brian McCalden).

"I commend the efforts of local Roads Service staff who check this road each day and instigate the necessary inspections and repairs to minimise disruption to the people living and visiting this area.

"Roads Service is currently engaging specialist engineering consultants to assess a number of areas of the road.

"A major project is underway to consider solutions to the ongoing problem of rock falls at Garron Point, an iconic headland just north of Carnlough village."

Mr Murphy continued: "A number of short and long term options will be considered by the Department in consultation with relevant statutory bodies, local councils and stakeholders.

'Roads Service is also working with Queen's University in a study of the active landslide area at Straidkilly, north of Glenarm village.

"It is hoped this project will help to identify how best to manage this area of land by the main Coast Road, which is continually slipping and trying to make its way to the sea," he said, noting that his Department is "committed to managing the Coast Road in a way sensitive to its role" which he said is "the 'Gateway to the Glens and North Antrim Coast' in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

Still on extreme weather, and Conor Murphy has also been inspected operations at the salt mines at Kilroot, Carrickfergus.

The Co Antrim Salt Mines, which are owned by Irish Salt Mining and Exploration Ltd, produce the rock salt used by Roads Service to salt the road network during its annual winter service programme - and was essential to keeping NI on the road during the extreme cold in January.

(NS/GK)