The Gobbins is a famous cliff-face path at Islandmagee in County Antrim in Northern Island. According to the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, considerable progress has been made for an £11 million extension.
This project aims to join the upper and lower cliff paths. The Gobbins Phase 2 project forms a part of the Belfast Region City Deal. The new structures will have gullies and crevices, making the new project more fun and adventurous for tourists.
The council is trying to take in more geological features with this project. The project was first opened in 1902; visitors can walk on suspension bridges, through tunnels and hallways. The tour was along the basalt cliff of the causeway coast. This allowed them to experience the beautiful scenery and geology of the area.
The Belfast City Region deal also includes funding for the rejuvenation of Carrickfergus and a manufacturing hub in Ballymena. It is expected that the new attraction will boost the number of foreign visitors and overnight stays which would be fruitful for the economy.
This project will also create 20,000 new and well-paying jobs which will, in turn, increase economic growth. A project like this will ensure more opportunities are accessible to all communities.
At a meeting of the council’s City Deal Elected Members Working Group, Councillor Gregg McKeen said: “We want to keep tourists here longer and, by investing in this Gobbins Phase II project, we will create a world-class, authentic visitor attraction that will help us to grow both domestic and international visitor numbers to the borough.
“In recent months our officers and elected members have made significant progress in developing a comprehensive Outline Business Case (OBC) for Gobbins Phase II, setting out a range of important considerations together with the wealth of potential benefits to be derived from the project.
“The submission of this OBC to the Treasury this summer is a significant step in the journey to realising the long-term boost that the extension of the Gobbins will deliver to both tourism and the wider economy in Mid and East Antrim.”
Councillor Robert Logan added: “I commend the hard work of all those involved in progressing this vital work which will be crucial to unlocking the economic and tourism potential of our borough.
“The Gobbins is a key tourism asset in Mid and East Antrim and Northern Ireland, with thousands of visitors from around the world travelling to experience this unique attraction. The planned City Deal investment will build on its reputation and deliver an enhanced, world-class tourism site, which will be invaluable to our local economy.”
This project will also improve the quality of infrastructure, visitor attractions, digital connectivity, and will also include a skills and employability programme.
