Dark Hedges: ‘Stakeholders failing to match DfI’s commitment’

Roads chiefs have defended their commitment to the Dark Hedges and accused “other stakeholders” of failing to match-up.

In correspondence with Causeway Coast and Glens Council a senior DfI official spelled out how “considerable staff contractor and financial resources” had been ploughed into the site over a prolonged period.

“Regrettably, this has not been matched by other stakeholders,” he wrote.

DfI’s network Development Manager Ian Coulter was responding to councillors’ demands for two Stormont departments to account for their strategies around the trees over the last 15 years.

Letters were sent to both the DfI and the Department for the Economy (DE) which retains responsibility for tourism.

In recent years the avenue, famed for its appearance in global TV hit Game of Thrones, has suffered traffic management issues.

In addition, many trees have died off and with every winter storm, more are lost to high winds.

In 2023 roads officials ordered the felling of six Dark Hedges trees. The decision was made in the wake of a specialist survey that concluded 60 per cent of the of the 86 trees were in 'Poor Condition' while 11 were dangerously unstable and of potential risk to the public.

The survey is referenced by Mr Coulter’s letter along with drainage and road safety improvements, installation of signage and a traffic management measures “intended to discourage through-traffic and protect the trees.”

He also points out his department does not own the trees and is responsible only for management of the public road.

“Responsibility for the trees themselves rests with the landowners, while wider tourism, heritage, conservation and visitor-management matters require cooperation between a range of stakeholders, including landowners, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, tourism bodies and heritage organisations.

Nevertheless, he says DfI has been “actively involved in matters relating to the Dark Hedges for more than a decade” and has worked with stakeholders to address road safety, traffic management and visitor-related issues.

Insisting that long-term protection requires a co-ordinated approach that can not be delivered by any single organisation, he concludes: “For much of the last decade, it appears many of the above stakeholders have not engaged in active management of the site.”

Meanwhile, responding on behalf of the Department for the Economy, Minister Caoimhe Archibald also suggest a collaborative approach is required.

But she goes on to place the DfI squarely in the frame

While Tourism NI reaffirms its willingness to contribute to discussions on the sustainable management and promotion of this important tourism asset, the Minister says: “It is important to note that responsibility for road infrastructure, traffic management measures, enforcement and associated signage rests with the Department for Infrastructure.

“Accordingly, matters relating to road closures, access arrangements and signage on the public road network fall within that Department's remit.

“My Department, through Tourism NI, will continue to engage constructively with partners, where appropriate, in support of efforts to safeguard this iconic attraction for residents and visitors alike.