Sections of the island’s coastal footpath could be closed for four months for safety reasons.

The Raad-ny-Foillan has been shut between Glen Maye and Knockaloe, and between Mourne View Lane on the Peel headlands and the path to Cass Strooan, near Ballagyr.

Both sections were closed in mid-December and could remain shut until March 15.

Walkers heading south from Peel Hill are being diverted along the permissive path to Knockaloe Farm.

A spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure said the department was assessing whether the path would be reinstated or diverted.

erosion

He said: ’A section of the footpath has slipped as a result of weather erosion over many years. Consequently it is closed to protect the safety of the public.

’The department is currently assessing its options and will decide whether to reinstate the damaged section or divert the path along a slightly different route.

’The footpath will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.’

Also currently closed is the footpath leading from the old railway bridge below the Apple Orphanage in German to the beautiful beach at Lynague, which is noted for its sea caves.

The path, which has been badly affected by erosion and landslides, was closed in September and may not reopen until the beginning of March.

In August last year we reported claims that budget cutbacks in the DoI were being blamed for the coastal footpath not being maintained as well as might be expected.

Some walkers suggested they would need a machete to get through some overgrown and near-impassable sections.

Walking the Raad-ny-Foillan is promoted as a must-do attraction for visitors by tourism officials in the Department for Enterprise.

Minister Laurence Skelly has suggested that devolving some of the maintenance to local authorities could help, as could the adoption of some paths by community groups.