Whitehead coast path ‘risk to life’
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Quarry Cottages residents are growing increasingly concerned over the state of the pathway link into Whitehead Gc0533
RESIDENTS of Quarry Cottages in Whitehead have become concerned over the increasingly dangerous state of the main pathway to the town centre.
Because of coastal erosion, there remains approximately 15 inches of pathway and with no lighting or security around the area residents say the path poses a serious threat to safety to not only themselves, but visitors to the area.
The pathway, which has had right of way for more than 70 years runs from the bottom of Quarry Cottages around 'White Harbour' and into the town. Resident Pat Corvin who has tried over the years to maintain the area himself by laying down stones on the walk way told the Advertiser: "We have been fighting with Translink for years, trying to get them to tidy the area up, but it appears to be that until someone is seriously injured or worse, nothing will be done about it.
In response, Translink said: "In June 2010, Translink carried out extensive works to reinforce a section of the pathway which is under our ownership."
But Pat believes Translink could do more to improve the safety aspects of the area. "You can see for yourself that the area is becoming increasingly dangerous", he said.
“This is the main walkway through to Whitehead town centre and it's not only residents use it - people use it every day, be it for the wildlife or train-spotting enthusiasts.
“The other problem is there is no signal box to warn users when a train is coming. From the Belfast to Larne side, you can see clearly but from the Larne to Belfast side, it's a blind spot and with these new trains being a lot quieter than the old ones, we have to be doubly careful when crossing the track".
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