Causeway Coastal Route Plans Set for Council Approval

Councillors are set to consider a draft infrastructure strategy to transform the Causeway Coastal Route from a traditional driving route into a broader sustainable tourism destination.

The strategy, which will go before Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee this week, outlines plans to improve visitor experiences, reduce congestion, and encourage tourists to explore beyond some of the region’s busiest attractions.

The report says the new approach would focus on “sustainable tourism development, enhanced visitor experiences, and the protection of the natural landscape”.

The Causeway Coastal Route stretches between Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, linking a number of major tourism sites including Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Mussenden Temple.

According to the report, the strategy represents a shift away from viewing the route purely as a scenic drive and instead promoting it as a connected tourism region made up of landscapes, towns, villages and visitor experiences.

Council papers state that the strategy has been developed as part of wider collaboration involving Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland, the National Trust and local councils, with links to the Shared Island initiative aimed at improving connections between the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way.

The strategy highlights concerns around traffic congestion, limited parking, fragmented signage and pressure on some of the route’s most popular attractions.

An audit carried out as part of the project identified more than 2,100 signs along the route and its looped drives, with officials noting inconsistencies in signage, branding and infrastructure.

Public consultation also identified calls for safer walking and cycling infrastructure, improved public transport links and better visitor facilities.

The draft strategy proposes the creation of “Signature Points” and “Discovery Points” across the route to encourage visitors to spend more time in lesser-visited locations.

Among the locations highlighted during consultation were Ballintoy Harbour, Whitepark Bay and Torr Head.

The report also proposes an “un-designing” approach at some locations, including Ballintoy Harbour and Whitepark Bay, aimed at reducing visual clutter and restoring natural landscapes.

Phase one of the proposed developments would focus on locations including Gortmore Viewpoint, Roe Valley Country Park, Magheracross, Portaneevy, Rinagree Viewpoint and Red Bay.

Council officers have recommended that councillors endorse the draft strategy and approve the commencement of phase one planning and delivery, subject to further project shortlisting and available resources.

The report states that funding is expected to come through Tourism NI, Shared Island initiatives and future external funding programmes.