Sea defences plan to protect Belfast to Larne railway line at 17 locations
Sea defences at 17 locations on the Belfast to Larne railway line will be reinforced through a proposal by Translink to strengthen the public transport link for the future.
Plans for the East Antrim Sea Defences Project were unveiled at a series of public consultation drop-in sessions, the last of which was held at Glynn Village Hall.
The consultation has been organised to provide information and get feedback from the community on the proposed sea defences project along the railway line on the section between Carrickfergus and Larne.
The planned work will involve building a new protective rock slope made from large interlocking rocks weighing three to six tonnes each, placed over a fabric layer underneath. Any gaps beneath these large rocks will be filled with smaller rocks.
Proposed works locations are in the vicinity of Boneybefore; Kilroot Energy Park; salt mines; Cloghan Point oil terminal; Beach Road nature reserve; County Antrim Yacht Club, Whitehead; Newmills Country House; Oldmill Bay; Larne Lough; Shore Road Cottages; Magheramorne; Magheramorne rail halt/sailing club; Larne Rugby Football Club and Howden’s oil depot, Larne.
Project manager Jack Chapman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that two sites, one in the Magheramorne area and another in the area of the salt mines outside Carrickfergus, had been “badly affected” during stormy weather in February, resulting in temporary rock armour having to be put in place.
However, he indicated there are 17 locations between Carrickfergus and Larne where maintenance work to rock armour is required.
"For the betterment of the track and for health and safety reasons and to keep the public safe, what we are doing is safety critical for everybody involved,” he said.
Without this work, which he described as “essential”, he said the railway and land behind it would become “impacted”. He explained the repair work can be carried out at weekends.
"This part of track is one of the most important lines as it is a feeder into Belfast,” he added.
Planning consultants Gravis Planning, which held the public consultation events, said online: “Translink is investing in essential sea defence works along the railway line between Carrickfergus and Larne to help protect and strengthen this important transport corridor for the future.
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"Protecting critical railway infrastructure is a key part of Translink’s role, particularly in coastal areas vulnerable to climate change, erosion and increasingly severe weather conditions.
"The proposed East Antrim Sea Defences Project involves the construction, improvement and extension of sea defence assets.
"The scope of the project includes strengthening the existing sea defences, repairing and replacing existing rock armour which has been affected by erosion and climate change and constructing new sea defences where required to protect the railway line.”
No additional structures are planned.
Translink has encouraged feedback from passengers, local communities, stakeholders and businesses as part of the pre-application community consultation process.
It said that feedback arising from the process will help to shape the final design of the proposals that will be submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.