Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced the closure of a popular walking route over a number of days to allow essential maintenance works to be completed.
A spokesperson for the local authority said:
“The public pathway in Portballintrae from Runkerry Beach Car Park to Threequarter Footbridge will be closed from January 24th - February 4th for essential maintenance work.
“The path will be open over the weekend of January 29th and 20th.
“During these works, the public can still access the wider trail network by using the pathway from Bushfoot Golf Club to the Threequarter Footbridge.
“Advance notice will posted at the path entrance. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
In December walkers were disappointed when the Runkerry Beach footbridge was removed. At the time a council spokesperson confirmed the structure was removed after safety concerns were raised by members of the public.
“Following inspection, the supporting structures were found to be in a very poor condition,” the spokesperson said. Council has been monitoring the bridge for some time, but the recent storms have contributed to the deterioration of the supporting structures leaving it in an unstable condition.
“Council appreciates that this section of trail is a very popular walking route, and it will now work with other stakeholders and landowners to install a replacement as soon as possible.”