Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd during today’s visit
Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd paid a visit to the Glens of Antrim today, Wednesday 8th January, and met with members of the local community who have been impacted over the last months by weather-related landslides in the area.
The Minister’s visit to the Glenshesk Road, Ballycastle comes after two landslides in 2024 almost seen residents of around 20 homes in between the impacted sites cut off with no other route out.
The first landslide occurred on 27th March 2024 when a large part of the road fell away leaving no alternative but to close the route due to health and safety concerns. To date the site has not been repaired.
Image: Kevin McCaughan
The most recent landslide occurred on 23rd November with inclement weather during Storm Bert.
Today’s visit brought good news for the local residents who have suffered the impacts and disruption on their everyday lives for over 10 months.
Minister O’Dowd assured residents that work to get the road open again is progressing with construction works scheduled to begin in April this year.