To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) what plans he has to improve road and pedestrian safety along the A2 near Dunluce Castle, where people often stop cars and coaches in order to take photographs; and (ii) what conversations he has had with the PSNI regarding this.

My Department was a key stakeholder in the development of the Causeway Coast Visitor Management Strategy led by Tourism NI which was looking at how visitors to a number of attractions around the Causeway Coast, including Dunluce Castle could be better managed. I understand proposals are now being developed as part of the Regional Growth Deal and my officials are fully engaged in this process. In the past my Department has highlighted the safety issues in consultation responses to licence applications from cross-border tour operators and has had some success in influencing their actions at this and other locations.

Discussions have taken place with PSNI Road Policing over several years regarding concerns about safety at this location and it was concluded that the introduction of restrictions at locations where tourists currently stop could potentially result in them stopping in more hazardous positions with associated implications for road safety. My Department is not aware of any change to the PSNI’s views on this issue.

Should you have any further questions on this matter, please contact DfI Roads Northern Division at: dfiroads.northern@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.