Safety concerns raised over sections of coastal railings

The condition of the railings on the Antrim coastal route was highlighted at a meeting of Mid and Antrim Borough Council’s Direct Services Committee.
Ballygally. INLT 03-305-PRBallygally. INLT 03-305-PR
Ballygally. INLT 03-305-PR

Coast Road Ulster Unionist Councillor Maureen Morrow said that the section of railing at Drains Bay is in a “very poor condition”.

She told the meeting that she raised the issue with the Department for Infrastructure in 2019. Ownership and responsibility for the upkeep of the railings lies mostly with the Roads Service – part of the Department for Infrastructure.

She indicated that a report was due to have been produced on whether to replace or refurbish Coast Road railings “from Carnlough to Carrickfergus”. DfI staff had been assessing the situation to providing costings to address the issue.

She said the cost of refurbishment was found to be “extreme” and the railing style is no longer available.

She went on to say that the Department is trying to locate the report with the recommendations.

“There is a possibility there may be a preservation order on the railings which are 140 years old”, Cllr Morrow added.

Coast Road Alliance councillor Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna commented that the issue needs to be picked up again, adding that a section in Ballygally is “almost broken”, which she said, may be a “health and safety issue”.

Coast Road DUP Councillor Angela Smyth said: “What I really want to highlight is a half marathon coming up. This year, it could be even bigger. It would be nice to have a Coast Road with railings painted white and in good condition.”

by Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter