Morrow seeks ‘maintenance regime’ for Coast Road railings

In a statement, Ald. Morrow said: “It’s not just about how the railings look along parts of the iconic Coast Road- a premier tourist attraction for our borough.

“It is the road safety aspect of the corroding and - in places- missing railings.

“Apart from the section along Larne promenade, the ownership and responsibility for the upkeep of the railings lies with the Roads Service - part of the Department for Infrastructure.

“For many months I have been encouraging DfI to commit to fixing the broken railings and then reinstating a regular maintenance regime to treat and paint the railings to stop further deterioration. If this doesn’t happen, more railings will simply rust away and fall into the sea.

“At present, DfI staff are assessing the situation to providing costings for a new budget to address the railing issue from Carnlough to Carrickfergus.

“There is no doubt that the maintenance regime all along the Coast Road has been allowed to slip due to tightening budgets. The fact is that the rusting effect of the salt air and the severe storms which have battered this coast over the last few years is really starting to show on the railings.

“If reinvestment is not made now, it will cost more in the long run because whole sections of the railings will simply fall into the sea, and will have to be replaced.”