Work to repair sea defences along the A2 Coast Road are well underway in advance of one stage of the prestigious Giro d'Italia taking place on the coastal highway.

To date, almost £600,000 has been invested in reducing rock fall risk at Garron Point with the installation of protection netting at the iconic headland north of Carnlough.

Further investment totalling £560,000 has been committed to resurface poor road surfaces and address coastal erosion events such as landslides and sea defence collapses along the route.

-- Advertisement --

Minister Kennedy said: "The storm surges and high tides after Christmas caused extensive damage to the sea defences along the Antrim Coast Road. Two areas which suffered significant structural damage were located at the Tower Road junction and close to Drumnagreagh.

"Work is well underway to repair the damage and I want to thank all involved for their efforts in protecting this beautiful coastline. The Antrim Coast road has always been a major tourist attraction and now it is set for even more attention as the world's top cyclists are set to race along the scenic route as part of the Giro d'Italia spectacle."

(CD)