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A campaign group dedicated to preserving the Dark Hedges has voiced concern over the reported removal of double yellow lines on the famous avenue – lines which the Department for Infrastructure says are ‘unauthorised’.

The ‘Save the Dark Hedges Bregagh Road’ Facebook group recently posted two photos of the Stranocum avenue made famous by the HBO series Game of Thrones.

One photo showed the avenue lined with cars before double yellow lines were added, the second photo showed the same scene after the painting of the lines, with no cars parked on the avenue.

The group posted: “Reports that the lines are to be removed is concerning. Nobody in their right mind would remove something that has contributed so much to road safety, especially around this junction and pedestrian crossing point.”

Bregagh Avenue after the double yellow lines had been painted. Credit Save the Dark Hedges Group

However, when contacted about the issue, the Department for Infrastructure said the lines were ‘unauthorised’ and added that they have asked those responsible to remove them.

A spokesperson for DfI said: “Over the past few years the Department have implemented a number of upgrades at the area around the Dark Hedges aimed at improving driver behaviour and protecting the trees.

"The most recent of these was a traffic management scheme on the Bregagh Road which included kerbed buildouts and upgraded signage at each end along with restricting the traffic to access for residents only.

“The Department is aware that unauthorised double yellow lines were recently marked on the Ballinlea Road. We have asked those responsible to arrange to have the lines removed as soon as possible.”

'Unauthorised' double yellow lines painted on Dark Hedges road, says Department for Infrastructure