Coast Road rockfall solutions being examined - McMullan

He recently asked for a joint meeting between Moyle Council and Larne Council to be arranged to attempt to get a resolution to the problem which has seen the road at Garron Point closed on a number of occasions.

Larne Borough Council wrote back to Moyle Council saying they would be interested in a joint meeting involving Moyle but Cllr McMullan last week said such a meeting is not needed at present as he said the situation has moved on.

Since he made the request, he said a Stormont Roads Minister Conor Murphy has instructed Roads Service to come back to him with a report on the road and possible options to make Garron Point a lot safer.

In February, Conor Murphy, joined Roads Service staff to assess the effects of natural erosion and the recent extreme weather on the A2 Coast Road.

A number of road closures have been reported in recent months 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 at the time: "It is quite staggering to see the power of nature at work along this beautiful coastline and 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.

"My Department is committed to managing the Coast Road in a way sensitive to its role as the 'Gateway to the Glens and North Antrim Coast' in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."