THE Gobbins cliff path has been dubbed a “hugely expensive embarrassment” after plans were revealed to spend almost £12,000 to promote the off-limits attraction.
Since re-opening last year following a £7.5 million restoration, the Victorian walkway at Islandmagee in Co Antrim has cost £82,000 in maintenance bills.
Landslide fears forced the Gobbins to close for a second time in June, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has said it will not reopen until 2017.
The cliff path has been closed for seven of the 13 months since it opened..
Previous trips to the USA by councillors to promote the path were criticised for the cost to local ratepayers, and now new plans to send staff to a series of other events have emerged in a council report.
Council representatives have already attended three trade events – including in Germany – which were agreed outside of a committee due to “time constraints”.
Now permission is being sought from councillors for staff to attend seven upcoming events across Ireland and Britain, at an overall cost of £11,788.
The plan has been criticised by the TaxPayers Alliance.
Research director Alex Wild said: “Council staff shouldn't be jetting off to the continent at ratepayers' expense at all, let alone to promote a closed path which is becoming a hugely expensive embarrassment.
”Projects can't just be justified on the basis that tourism is an important part of the local economy - value for money has to be assessed.
"Councillors must ensure they don't end up throwing good money after bad so ratepayers don't end up footing escalating bills for mistakes.”
The Irish News contacted Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for comment, but no-one was available.
