Repair work approved at Co Antrim landmark seven months after storm damage closed site
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed that repair work has now been approved to fix damaged parts of The Gobbins coastal walkway, seven months after the site had to close to the public.
It comes after images were released last week showing the extent of the damage due to rockfall after Storm Eowyn in January.
In a statement on Tuesday, the council said: 'Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has engaged specialists to complete detailed surveys and develop proposals to allow the attraction to reopen.
'The Council is now actively navigating the statutory planning process to secure the necessary approvals required before any repair works can begin on site.'
In March of this year, the council issued a statement on the damage at the attraction saying: "We want to reassure visitors that all efforts are going into the repair work.
'As this is a natural attraction built on rock faces in a difficult-to-access area, incidents such as rockfalls are beyond our control.
'We are working closely with specialists to fully assess the damage and to develop a safe plan for reopening.'
A Council spokesperson said health and safety remains the priority.
'The Gobbins is one of our Borough's most treasured attractions and we are working tirelessly to ensure it can be safely reopened for visitors,' they said.
'While we understand the frustration the closure may cause, we must adhere to environmental regulations and ensure that all statutory processes are followed.
'We are fully committed to preserving the integrity of this site, not just in the short term, but for future generations.'
Designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), The Gobbins is home to Northern Ireland's only mainland colony of puffins, as well as large populations of kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, cormorants, shags and common guillemots.
The spokesperson explained that some of the major repairs could not be carried out during the critical nesting season, which runs from April through September.
'Council would like to emphasise that works will begin on site as soon as statutory approvals are granted and it is environmentally safe to proceed,' they continued, adding that they will also be putting plans in place to develop the site through the Belfast Region City Deal programme.
The visitor attraction is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and the visitor centre and café remained open after its closure.
Recent images shared online by boat tour company Abhainn Cruises showed extensive damage to the pathway been crushed by fallen rocks and a huge boulder caught in netting overhead.
News Catch Up - Tuesday 5th August
The images were taken by skipper and owner of the company Tim Griffin.
Lynn Gibson who works for Abhainn Cruises Boat Tours told the Belfast Telegraph: 'I wasn't there at the time, but Tim took the images whilst he was out on a passenger boat cruise.
'We would do sea safaris sometimes and would see people out with their hard hats on but this time obviously it's been closed, and you can see the size of the boulders and the damage to the paths.'
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