Falling rocks close coastal road

The road passes between cliffs and the sea near the Mussenden Temple

A road along the County Londonderry coast has been closed because of falling rocks.

The Seacoast Road at Downhill - which runs between steep cliffs and the sea - has been shut since a "significant rock fall" on Friday.

The Roads Service has said the road would remain closed until further notice because of the risk of further rock falls.

It is seeking expert assistance to have loose rock removed from the cliff.

Trains on the Derry to Belfast route, which pass alongside the cliffs, are subject to a temporary speed restriction.

A spokesperson from Translink said they had taken the measure as a precaution, pending the repair and re-opening of the road.

SDLP assembly member John Dallat said local people have been badly affected by the closure.

"A considerable number of people would have to travel to work, and the problem here is that the alternative routes are totally unsatisfactory.

"They are taking people onto very minor roads which in themselves constitute a danger and were never intended for through traffic," he said.