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02/04/2025
Silent Valley Partially Reopens Following Storm Éowyn Damage
NI Water has announced the partial reopening of Silent Valley Mountain Park in County Down, following significant damage caused by Storm Éowyn. A restricted opening came into effect today, Tuesday 1 April 2025, allowing visitors access to certain areas of the popular park.
The Silent Valley café has also reopened today. Additionally, the Mourne Shuttle Bus service will resume operations from the Easter holidays, with timetable information and pre-booking available on the service's website and social media channels.
Visitors will be able to access the visitor centre, duck pond, play park, and a limited number of trails within the park. However, NI Water has emphasised that many areas will remain inaccessible and closed for an extended period as extensive clear-up and repair work continues.
Gary Presho, Water Supply Manager East at NI Water, commented on the reopening: "NI Water teams have been working hard with forestry experts to clear and repair the areas of Silent Valley most affected by Storm Éowyn. Hundreds of trees had fallen or needed to be felled to make the area safe for visitors again."
He added: "While many areas of the park will still be inaccessible and closed for a prolonged period, we know how much our visitors love Silent Valley so we wanted to open as much of the park as we possibly could. We would ask visitors to follow the safety notices and signs and only keep to the areas designated as safe."
NI Water has thanked the public for their patience during the ongoing repair works and expressed their anticipation in welcoming visitors back to enjoy the scenery of the Mountain Park.
The Silent Valley café has also reopened today. Additionally, the Mourne Shuttle Bus service will resume operations from the Easter holidays, with timetable information and pre-booking available on the service's website and social media channels.
Visitors will be able to access the visitor centre, duck pond, play park, and a limited number of trails within the park. However, NI Water has emphasised that many areas will remain inaccessible and closed for an extended period as extensive clear-up and repair work continues.
He added: "While many areas of the park will still be inaccessible and closed for a prolonged period, we know how much our visitors love Silent Valley so we wanted to open as much of the park as we possibly could. We would ask visitors to follow the safety notices and signs and only keep to the areas designated as safe."
NI Water has thanked the public for their patience during the ongoing repair works and expressed their anticipation in welcoming visitors back to enjoy the scenery of the Mountain Park.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
