To ask the Minister for Infrastructure why no public consultation took place before the installation of new shoreline barriers at Shore Road, Whiteabbey, despite their obstruction of views across Belfast Lough.

Ms Kimmins

I have met the Member on this issue. He knows that my Department has legislative responsibility to maintain roads and footpaths to an appropriate standard, ensuring the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. That is managed through the provision of infrastructure that is designed and installed to current safety standards. Substandard railings along the Shore Road, Newtownabbey were identified for replacement due to their poor state of repair. The railings were adjacent to a combined footway/cycleway, and the replacement railings were required to be increased in height to 1·5 metres to meet the minimum safety standards. My Department was not required to consult the public on the routine parapet upgrade works at that location. However, my officials did consult Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on the design of the new railings at the location and provided two options for its consideration. Due to the additional cost associated with the bespoke design option, the council confirmed that it was content to proceed with the standard railing option in August 2024. My Department further highlighted the proposed scheme as planned works in its annual report to council in November 2024.

Ms Kimmins

I thank the Member for raising that. In response to the issues that he raised — it is fair to say that he documented and clearly showed me the key issues about which he and his constituents have been concerned — I spoke to officials and got some updates on why that was done in the first place. The wire mesh is an anti-climb requirement, as prescribed in design standard 'CD 377: Requirements for road restraint systems', which I am sure means nothing to you, me or many of your constituents. With that being said, I asked whether we could look at removing it, because I recognise that the view of the lough has been restricted and that there has been a real issue with the aesthetics of that beautiful area. To ensure that we continue to meet safety standards, we have come to a bit of a compromise. Complete removal is not permitted under the design standard, but my Department is considering the removal of the wire mesh between the two uppermost rails so that it will potentially remain on just the bottom one. That would ensure that views of the lough were opened up, while still providing the required safety interventions for cyclists and others who use the topside. As part of our discussions, the Member mentioned his concerns for those who are on the shoreside of the railings and the potential for them if somebody were to get into difficulties with getting out. I raised that matter with officials, and I hope that, should we decide to move forward with the proposal, that would be a welcome compromise that would address the needs of everybody involved.