Giant's Causeway: Trust To Review Signage, Not Prices

National Trust bosses have resisted pressure to review their Giant's Causeway pricing policy after complaints the £8.50 charge was "excessive".

But they have agreed to look at signage, to make sure that people who visit the landmark rock formation know they can do so without paying in.

Many tourists and locals are unhappy with the charges, which apply to anyone using the new £18.5m visitor centre, car park, café or shop, ad includes audioguide hire.

They say the current signage does not make it clear that there is free public access to the Causeway and alternative parking for free.

The Trust said it would respond to a letter from Ian Paisley Jr, MP for North Antrim, calling the prices "excessive".

Billy Reid of the National Trust told the Belfast Telegraph: "We've had over 116,000 visitors through the centre since it opened on July 3 and we’re finding that the people who come have had a really good time, they’ve enjoyed it and they think it's value for money.

“We’re there to facilitate people who want to have the full experience of the Giant's Causeway, spend two or three hours there and go away happy.

But Mr Paisley said other kinds of visitors might be disappointed by the prices.

He said: "There are people who holiday in the area who may want to go to the cafe without paying an entry fee. Losing that customer base is really shortsighted and the National Trust should reconsider its pricing policy which inhibits more footfall."

(NE)