PICTURES : MARK JAMIESON
Sign Of The Times As Vandals Graffiti Traffic Signs At World-Renowned Site.
The Department For Infrastructure last month ( 28th March 2018 ) installed supplementary signs at the Dark Hedges, however overnight they have all been vandalised.
Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure introduced a ban on cars using the road from 30 October 2017.
The Dark Hedges became a huge draw for tourists and TV fans after they appeared in the closing scene of one episode of Game of Thrones.
The Dark Hedges – Mark Jamieson
Bob McCallion campaigner of the Dark Hedges Group in social media post said :
“Some poor misguided soul (or souls) has defaced all of the recent supplementary signs at the Dark Hedges. The signage was far from perfect but was a positive step towards the plight of the trees by getting tourist traffic off Bregagh Rd, into the allocated car parks/facilities at the Dark Hedges Estate (thus helping the local economy) and improving public safety.
The obscuring of the “This road closed to traffic” signs at either end of Bregagh Rd will encourage more vehicles to park on the verges, especially today, Easter Mon. Similar spraying of the “Dark Hedges road closed to traffic” signs on the approach roads now leaves the original “no through road ahead” graphic signs which actually encourages vehicles to access, park and then turn along the tree tunnel. Even worse, this sign DISCRIMINATES against the locals who have been driving this road for years and NOT causing damage by parking. Some of the original signs have also been defaced.
Speaking to Causeway Coast Community this afternoon Councillor Joan Baird OBE and Mayor of the Causeway Coast & Glens condemned the vandalism “When road services had taken action to stop the destruction of the iconic trees it is very disappointing that someone has vandalised the signs. I totally condemn the vandalising of the signs and further action will now have to be taken to stop traffic destroying our famous landmark site.”
