Causeway Coast and Glens councillors divided over £50,000 Waterfoot Beach dust path upgrade

Waterfoot Beach, County Antrim

(Image: Angela McIlgorm)

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council members have voiced reservations about plans to install a dust path at Waterfoot Beach.

At October’s Leisure and Development Committee meeting, councillors agreed to replace the damaged boardwalk on the beach, which has deteriorated significantly and poses safety and maintenance concerns, with a compacted dust path.

The proposed path is designed to provide a durable, low-maintenance, and accessible surface, with an estimated cost of £50,000, compared to more than £150,000 for a replacement hardwood boardwalk.

However, during November’s full council meeting, Independent Councillor Margaret Anne McKillop sought “reassurances” from the council’s Director of Leisure and Development, Pat Mulvenna, regarding the specification and accessibility of the proposed dust path.

“I’m not completely sold on the dust path,” she said.

“First off, there’s a lot of negative publicity around this, and I just want to put it on record that this would be finished to a higher spec — not like the rest of the dust paths in the Glens.

“The second bit of it would be that it’s definitely accessible for wheelchair and pram users.”

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Tap here to read original story on the proposed £50,000 dust path at Waterfoot

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Responding, Ms Mulvenna said she would raise the concerns with the design team overseeing the project.

“Obviously it would be a compact dust path and [will] be accessible for all our users,” she said.

“But [we are] very happy to take your comments on board, look at it again, and ensure that all parties are content that it is an appropriate solution for that area — absolutely.”