Causeway Coast Way – A Strategic Path Review Prepared by Outdoor Recreation NI on behalf of the NIEA, National Trust, Moyle District Council and Coleraine Borough Council December 2012 Table of Contents Table of Figures ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................... 5 2. THE CAUSEWAY COAST WAY ............................................................................................................................ 8 2.1. Background ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2. The Need for a Strategic Path Review ............................................................................................... 11 2.3. Aims and Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 12 3. STRATEGIC PATH REVIEW .............................................................................................................................. 12 3.1. NATURAL HAZARDS ................................................................................................................................. 12 3.2. FOOTPATH AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITION ....................................................................... 17 3.2.1. Footpath Condition Survey ........................................................................................................... 17 3.2.2. Signage and Furniture Audit ........................................................................................................ 21 3.2.3. Signage and Furniture Costings .................................................................................................. 24 3.3. ACCESS, OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.................................................................................... 25 3.3.1. Land Ownership ................................................................................................................................ 25 3.3.2. Private Landowner Consultations ............................................................................................. 28 3.4. THE ROUTE ................................................................................................................................................... 31 3.4.1. Holy Well Port/Lady’s Hill Car Park ......................................................................................... 32 3.4.2. Whiterocks .......................................................................................................................................... 35 3.4.4. Portballintrae ..................................................................................................................................... 38 3.4.5. Runkerry Head & Runkerry Beach Loop Walks ................................................................... 41 3.4.6. Dooninish ............................................................................................................................................. 42 3.4.7. Templastragh ..................................................................................................................................... 44 3.4.8. White Park Bay east ......................................................................................................................... 45 3.4.9. Carrick-a-Rede ................................................................................................................................... 48 3.4.10. Kinbane Head ..................................................................................................................................... 48 3.4.11. Rathlin Island ..................................................................................................................................... 48 3.4.12. Wider Path Network ........................................................................................................................ 51 3.5. FUNDING ........................................................................................................................................................ 54 3.5.1. NIEA Natural Heritage Grants Programme ............................................................................ 54 3.5.2. The Neptune Coastal Campaign (National Trust) ............................................................... 54 3.5.3. Internal Funds .................................................................................................................................... 54 3.5.4. Summary .............................................................................................................................................. 55 4. RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 55 5. PRIORITY PROJECTS........................................................................................................................................... 58 6. CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................................... 58 7. REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................................... 60 8. APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................................................... 61 8.1. Project Plan ................................................................................................................................................... 61 8.2. QUB Geological Study ............................................................................................................................... 64 8.3. Furniture and Signage Audit Results ................................................................................................. 73 Page 2 of 80 Table of Figures Figure 1 Sections along the Causeway Coast Way .............................................................................. 8 Figure 2 Environmental Designations on the North Antrim Coast ................................................. 10 Figure 3 Map showing the location of geological hazards along the Causeway Coast Way .......... 16 Figure 4 White Park Bay ..................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 5 Dooninish .............................................................................................................................. 16 Figure 6 Portacallan ............................................................................................................................ 16 Figure 7 Benbane Head ....................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 8 The Amphitheatre ................................................................................................................ 16 Figure 9 Dunseverick Castle Thin Path .............................................................................................. 16 Figure 10 Holy Well Port/Lady's Hill ................................................................................................. 16 Figure 11 Golf Links Path .................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 12 Dominican College .............................................................................................................. 16 Figure 13 Footpath Erosion Survey Locations (with 2009 Fixed Point Photography) ................. 20 Figure 14 Images showing upper (top left) and lower (top right) bridges at Sycamore Port, this path section at Dunseverick Castle (lower left) and Runkerry Beach bridge (bottom right) ....... 22 Figure 15 Images showing new interpretation panels (left) and seating (right) at new GCVC .... 23 Figure 16 Table of Costings for New Furniture and Signage ........................................................... 24 Figure 17 Access and Ownership Map (Portstewart to Giant's Causeway) ................................... 26 Figure 18 Access and Ownership (Giant's Causeway to Ballycastle) .............................................. 27 Figure 19 Re-routing Options and New Walks along Causeway Coast Way ................................... 31 Figure 20 Holy Well Port slump (left) and cliff edge path (right) ................................................... 32 Figure 21 Path improvement works (bottom) and new path creation (top) at Holy Well Port/Lady's Hill ................................................................................................................................... 33 Figure 22 Path Options at Holy Well Port/Lady's Hill ...................................................................... 34 Figure 23 Whiterocks Off-road Diversion Options ..........................................................................