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Old Manse Green, BANBRIDGE, BT32 4QY

These new houses were under construction off the Old Manse Road Image but work seems to have stopped.

The Banbridge bypass (in common with most of the road) was built as an all-purpose dual carriageway allowing right and “U” turns. The high number of minor side roads in Co Down means that there are frequent gaps in the central reservation. The road has been improved with two flyovers Image and Image but two gaps remain. One is a minor (and little-used road) while this one (the Old Manse Road Image) leads to an “A” road to Banbridge and Castlewellan Image and is quite busy. See also Image The driver of this van was waiting patiently for a gap in the traffic before turning right, across the dual carriageway, towards Belfast. To the best of my knowledge there are no plans to close the gap or replace it with a grade-separated junction.

The Old Manse Road runs from the Castlewellan Road Image to the bypass Image (marked by the passing lorry – background). Now truncated, it was a through road to the Lisnaree Road Image on the Dromore Road. Old Manse Green is on the right.

See Image As he started his right turn, across the dual carriageway, towards Belfast another vehicle turned right from the Newry direction. Both drivers waited for gaps in the passing traffic, were acting sensibly and safely and took no risks but it does illustrate the conflicting movements which, with the wrong driver or a moment of distraction, can be dangerous.

A close look at the nearest of the two pylons in Image Continue to Image

Two of the pylons (not shown on the OS map) at the bulk supply point substation at Ballydown. Continue to Image

A long-established petrol station, modernised from its original form, on the Castlewellan Road. This photograph, taken from the public road, appears as a matter of geographical and historical record only http://www.geograph.org.uk/tagged/petrol+station#photo=3496022 and is not intended to pose a risk to security. This pillar box Image can be seen towards the lower right.

The view towards Castlewellan from near the Ballydown crossroads with the Ballydown petrol station at middle left. This is outside the present developed part of the town – but for how long? See also Image

The staggered crossroads at Ballydown. The Banbridge (right) – Castlewellan road Image runs across the photo. The Old Manse Road Image is in the foreground and the Ballydown Road Image in the background.

A vacant and boarded-up house on the Castlewellan Road – presumably awaiting redevelopment. Continue to Image (July 2013).