This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41561589
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Game of Thrones: Traffic banned from Dark Hedges road | Game of Thrones: Traffic banned from Dark Hedges road |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Traffic is to be banned from part of a County Antrim road, made famous by the TV fantasy drama Game of Thrones, to protect trees known as the Dark Hedges. | Traffic is to be banned from part of a County Antrim road, made famous by the TV fantasy drama Game of Thrones, to protect trees known as the Dark Hedges. |
| The iconic tunnel of beech trees on the Bregagh Road, near Armoy, has become a major international tourist attraction. | The iconic tunnel of beech trees on the Bregagh Road, near Armoy, has become a major international tourist attraction. |
| The scene was used by the Game of Thrones crew to represent "the King's Road" in the HBO drama series. | |
| However, Stormont's Department for Infrastructure is introducing a ban on cars using the road from 30 October. | |
| The order will also prohibit buses and coaches from using a designated stretch of the Bregagh Road. | The order will also prohibit buses and coaches from using a designated stretch of the Bregagh Road. |
| Any motorist who flouts the ban could face a fine of up to £1,000. | Any motorist who flouts the ban could face a fine of up to £1,000. |
| 'National treasure' | 'National treasure' |
| The Dark Hedges were planted more than 200 years ago by the Stuart family, who created a tree-lined avenue along the entrance to their Gracehill House mansion. | The Dark Hedges were planted more than 200 years ago by the Stuart family, who created a tree-lined avenue along the entrance to their Gracehill House mansion. |
| About 150 were planted by James Stuart, but time has taken its toll over the centuries and now, fewer than two thirds remain standing. | |
| In January 2016, during Storm Gertrude, high winds ripped up two trees, causing them to collapse. | |
| Later that year, a large, rotten branch broke off one of the trees and fell across the road. | Later that year, a large, rotten branch broke off one of the trees and fell across the road. |
| The Dark Hedges became a huge draw for tourists and TV fans after they appeared, albeit very briefly, in the closing scene of one episode of Game of Thrones. | The Dark Hedges became a huge draw for tourists and TV fans after they appeared, albeit very briefly, in the closing scene of one episode of Game of Thrones. |
| Arya Stark, one of the show's main characters, was filmed travelling on a cart along the road, disguised as a boy. | Arya Stark, one of the show's main characters, was filmed travelling on a cart along the road, disguised as a boy. |
| Conservationists have expressed alarm about the increasing traffic levels in the area and the possible damage to the trees' roots. | Conservationists have expressed alarm about the increasing traffic levels in the area and the possible damage to the trees' roots. |
| During the Easter holidays this year, pictures of traffic jams were shared on social media, some criticising the number of vehicles lining the road. | During the Easter holidays this year, pictures of traffic jams were shared on social media, some criticising the number of vehicles lining the road. |
| The organisation, NI Greenways, described the Dark Hedges as a "national treasure" and claimed it was being slowly killed. | The organisation, NI Greenways, described the Dark Hedges as a "national treasure" and claimed it was being slowly killed. |
| The Department for Infrastructure published the banning order on 5 October. | |
| It had proposed the ban last year, after "discussions with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and other interested parties". | It had proposed the ban last year, after "discussions with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and other interested parties". |
| It launched a consultation and said "four written objections were received and duly considered and no other representations were received". | It launched a consultation and said "four written objections were received and duly considered and no other representations were received". |
| Exemptions | Exemptions |
| The ban is will be enforced along Bregagh Road, from its junction with Ballinlea Road to its junction with Ballykenver Road. | |
| The department said new traffic signs, advising the public of the ban, would be erected in the area "in due course". | |
| Some vehicles will be exempt from the ban "in certain circumstances". | Some vehicles will be exempt from the ban "in certain circumstances". |
| These will include agricultural and emergency vehicles. | These will include agricultural and emergency vehicles. |