Anger over damage being done at Dark Hedges
A CANADIAN tourist who tweeted photos of the devastation being caused by visitors to one of north Antrim’s most famous landmarks has said he’s appalled by the destruction.
Steven Walker visited the area made famous as a backdrop in Game Of Thrones earlier this week.
He aimed his tweets at Causeway Coast and Glens Council and local media with a series of pictures of rubbish along the picturesque road.
“Over from Canada, visited the Dark Hedges. I am appalled at the destruction and mess of such an iconic attraction,” he said. “Anyone care?” “What is being done to protect this? Disgraceful.” Another Twitter user posted: “Sadly the Dark Hedges is being turned to s*** by idiots.”
And another keyboard warrior wrote: “The Dark Hedges are now spoilt by the number of people visiting and leaving cars parked everywhere and rubbish.”
It comes after an army of Game Of Thrones fans signed a petition to stop the avenue being blighted by rubbish.
Tourists have also been carving their names into the twisting trees lining the road.
Thousands of viewers of the sex, swords and sorcery series are up in arms that the serpentine row of ancient beech trees — King’s Road on the fantasy show — is being ruined by dog excrement left by careless pet owners and rain-sodden piles of mud.
Almost 4,000 Thrones disciples have signed a petition on change.org called Save The Dark Hedges, aimed at the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust.
A statement on the change. org campaign written by Armoy woman Glenda Trolland, who launched it, says: “For a few years now our local landmark The Dark Hedges have been attracting a large number of tourists who arrive to see the trees in coaches and cars and they park on the grass verges and the roots of the trees therefore destroying our beautiful trees. They have been carving their name into the trees causing more damage.
“I’d like a law to enforce the prohibition of parking on this road and instead to use the local hotel or layby to park in.
“It is important in the interest of preserving the future of our trees.”
Other fans are using Twitter and Facebook to urge Causeway Coast and Glens Council, which is responsible for the landmark, to do more to protect it.