Work to remove some trees hanging over a Co Antrim road that featured in Game of Thrones will start next week, the Department for Infrastructure has said.
The Bregagh Road near Armoy, already closed to traffic, will be shut down to pedestrians from Monday next for at least three days as work is carried out.
Eleven trees out of 86 along the Dark Hedges route were identified as being in poor condition, and six will be removed next week, remedial work carried out on four others, with the condition of one to be assessed on site.
The department is moving ahead with the work on privately owned land due to public safety concerns despite negotiations still ongoing with landowners.
“Following concerns about the condition of some of the trees, the department commissioned an independent specialist survey which found that 11 trees, out of a total of 86, along this route are in a poor condition and could pose a potential risk to the public,” the department said.
A survey by Tree Safety, commissioned by the department, found just 30 of the famous trees were found to be in fair condition.
“This decision has not been made lightly and whilst the amenity value afforded by the corridor of trees is acknowledged, the safety of road users is paramount,” the department said.
Discussions with landowners and other stakeholders will continue around a management strategy to protect the other 75 trees going forward.
It is hoped to complete the work by November 24, depending on weather conditions.
Photographer and Dark Hedges campaigner Bob McCallion previously told The Irish News he has warned that the beauty spot is a potential “death trap” for years.
"The risk assessment carried out on the Dark Hedges is one of the most damning I have ever seen regarding a public safety issue," said Mr McCallion.
"We have been warning of issues in the area for years, and we flagged up a tree halfway up the tunnel that is now on the survey.
Read more:
- Game of Thrones tourist attraction, the Dark Hedges, a 'death trap' as trees deemed risk to public
- Two Dark Hedges trees blown down in Storm Arwen
"Locals have said to us that they have heard creaking from some branches and in the past some of those branches have ended up falling down due to weather conditions etc."
The Dark Hedges is on the The Game of Thrones tourist trail. It was used as a location for ‘Kingsroad’ in the hit HBO fantasy series and has attracted thousands of tourists.
