Dark Hedges neglect branded ‘dereliction of duty’ as councillor demands answers from Stormont departments

The Dark Hedges, County Antrim in June.

(Image: Shirley Carson Photography)

Causeway Coast and Glens DUP councillor Darryl Wilson has accused the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department for the Economy (DfE) of a “dereliction of duty” over the future management of the Dark Hedges.

June’s meeting of the council’s Leisure and Development Committee received an update report from Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT).

The report followed a motion tabled by UUP Alderman and Deputy Mayor Sandra Hunter at May’s committee meeting, seeking clarification on the council’s current role within the Dark Hedges management plan.

The motion also requested information on risk management measures being used to protect visitors and newly planted saplings. Alderman Hunter had expressed concern that the Dark Hedges Management Forum (DHMF) appeared to have “disappeared” since being established last year.

The June update revealed that only one DHMF meeting had taken place, in January 2025, and stated that the council has “no real role to play” in the management of the Dark Hedges.

The report noted that the trees are owned by local farmers, while DfI Roads is responsible for road safety.

Councillor Wilson said that since the avenue gained worldwide recognition through its appearance in the HBO television series Game of Thrones around 15 years ago, the site had attracted up to six million visitors and had become one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, second only to the Giant’s Causeway.

However, he argued that little had changed over that period, apart from what he described as the continued deterioration of the trees.

He told the committee:

“I have witnessed no changes at the site since then apart from massive destruction and deterioration of the trees, due to their age and the abuse of the road.”

Councillor Wilson proposed that the council write to both DfI and DfE seeking details of their strategy for the Dark Hedges, what work has been undertaken during the past 15 years, and what plans exist for the future.

“I think we’re dancing on the head of a pin here – going to the Heritage Trust, skirting around the edges, quangos, groups, bureaucracy – where there’s been a full dereliction of duty by the DfE and DfI,” he claimed.

“The only change I see in the last 30 years is two signs asking cars not to drive up the road. That’s a disgrace, that’s an absolute disgrace.

“This is a national landmark that’s bringing people into Northern Ireland, so we as a corporate body should be bringing it to the fore and exposing what has not been done in this area.

“I think there should be a corporate question from this chamber and a corporate response, because I think the public deserve that answer. They deserve to see what the departments have to say.

“I hope I have the support of everyone tonight in trying to expose this dereliction of duty.”

Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal, with the council now set to seek formal responses from both departments regarding their management, investment and long-term plans for the internationally recognised tourist attraction.