Castle road may hinder proposals

Castle road may hinder proposals

18 September 2013

PLANS to turn Dundrum Castle into a major tourist centre may be delayed because the main access road is in private ownership.

Castle Hill Road is the only road to the castle but because it is privately owned it is narrow and would be unable to support major tourist traffic once the castle has been upgraded.

The Roads Service has never carried out work to the road which has had little work carried out on it since 1973. The Environment Agency has occasionally carried out repairs on the road and local residents have also repaired pot holes themselves over the years.

Plans were recently unveiled to create a new visitor centre at the castle, provide floodlighting, improve the car park and cut part of the woodland to open up the castle.

But councillor Patrick Clarke wants Environment Minister Mark Durkan to sort out the ownership of the road before work gets underway.

“The Castlehill Road is not maintained by the Roads Service, but over recent years the Environment Agency has carried out repair work as a goodwill gesture,” said councillor Clarke. “I have been advised that unless the road is brought up to an acceptable standard, the Roads Service will not adopt and maintain it.”

Councillor Clarke said he understands the history of the road’s ownership is quite complex. He explained that prior to 1972, the road was maintained by the old rural council, but that following the reorganisation of local government in 1973, this work ceased, with residents subsequently repairing pot holes.

The local politician explained that in 2011 and this year the Environment Agency repaired the potholes at the bottom of Castlehill Road.

Councillor Clarke added: “Residents are concerned that the proposed works at the castle will increase visitors on foot, by car, bus and coach. “While there is wide support for maximising the castle’s tourism potential, the residents of Castlehill Road feel that the Department of Environment could discuss the ownership issue and future adoption of the road with a view to bringing it up to a standard to allow it to be adopted.”