Vandals cut ropes on famous Carrick-a-Rede bridge
ONE of Northern Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions was closed yesterday after thugs tried to cut down Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
The National Trust had feared the attraction would be off bounds for some time, but quick work by structural engineers means it will reopen today.
The vandalism is being investigated by police.
Inspector Colin Reeves said that some time between 6.30pm on Tuesday and 9.30am yesterday a padlock on the gate leading to the famous bridge was removed.
“The hand rope on the right hand side of the rope bridge and supporting ropes at the side of the bridge were partially cut,” he added.
The National Trust said it discovered the damage during a routine safety check.
National Trust general manager Max Bryant said yesterday’s closure was “very disappointing for visitors and the local economy, as well as for the National Trust”.
Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane grew up in Ballintoy and worked at the rope bridge as a student.
She described those responsible as mindless thugs.
Ms McShane said: “This was a wanton act of vandalism, dangerous at best and potentially life-threatening.
“Only for the diligent safety checks carried out by staff, visitors arriving this morning to cross the world-famous ropebridge could have been exposed to a serious safety risk.”
The rope bridge on the north coast, on the outskirts of the village of Ballintoy, has been a popular visitor attraction for decades.
It was originally erected by salmon fishermen in 1755.
It spans 20 metres across a 30-metre drop to the sea below.