Ballycastle To Ballintoy Coastal Path Proposal To Go Before Council

Councillors are to consider proposals to progress an off-road coastal walking route between Ballycastle and Ballintoy as a tourism and active travel priority.

A Notice of Motion on the proposed Ballycastle to Ballintoy Coastal Path will go before Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee next week.

The motion, proposed by Councillor McShane and seconded by Councillor Watson, says the route could deliver tourism, economic, health and wellbeing benefits for both residents and visitors.

The proposed path would form part of the Causeway Coast Way and would include access to areas around Carrick-a-Rede and Kinbane.

The motion notes that development of this section of the route has been identified as a strategic priority within the Causeway Coast Way Blueprint, while initial engagement with landowners over the principle of an off-road coastal route has been described as positive.

If supported, councillors would ask council officers to develop an Outline Business Case examining the strategic, economic, environmental and social case for the project.

This would include looking at potential route options, further landowner engagement, indicative costs, possible sources of funding and potential models for delivering the scheme.

The council would also explore opportunities to work with a number of organisations, including the Northern Ireland Executive, Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

It could also seek advice and collaboration with other local authorities which have experience of delivering major walking trails.

The motion further calls for external funding opportunities to be explored, with officers asked to report back to the Leisure and Development Committee on potential next steps.

Councillors will consider the proposal when the committee meets next week.