Public flouting Blackhead Path
safety warning

Members of the public are putting their lives at risk by ignoring closure signs on a stretch of Blackhead Path in Whitehead.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Aug 2014, 16:40 BST
Sections of Blackhead Path have been closed for health and safety reasons. INCT 32-790-CONSections of Blackhead Path have been closed for health and safety reasons. INCT 32-790-CON
Sections of Blackhead Path have been closed for health and safety reasons. INCT 32-790-CON

That’s the warning this week from Carrickfergus Borough Council after it shut off a section of the popular walking route for health and safety reasons.

Apologising for any inconvenience caused, the local authority said it was left with no alternative following a rockfall.

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Reports that some people were flouting the advice prompted the Mayor, Alderman Charlie Johnston, to issue this appeal: “I would urge members of the public not to disregard the closure notices as these are in the interests of your own health and safety.

Sections of Blackhead Path have been closed for health and safety reasons. INCT 32-790-CONSections of Blackhead Path have been closed for health and safety reasons. INCT 32-790-CON
Sections of Blackhead Path have been closed for health and safety reasons. INCT 32-790-CON

“We have made significant investment in the path over the past year. However, the continuing natural erosion of the rock face has prompted council to implement this partial closure until an extensive structural assessment can be made.

“We will reopen the path as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The closure came ahead of Whitehead’s annual summer festival which includes a Seashore Safari scheduled for Saturday at Blackhead Path.

The council spokesperson indicated this would not be affected as it is the upper area of the path that is closed.

The path features heavily in the regeneration plans for the town with remedial and improvement works as well as rock face repair completed last year.