IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Church View Close, CRAIGAVON, BT63 6DG

The view upstream of the Bann, from the Point Road, as it approaches the weir behind the long-closed Hazelbank mill. The autumn colours are now starting to appear along the riverbank. There are two spellings – one with a “w” and one with a “u”. The official usage now seems to lean towards the former but I was brought up with the latter and intend to continue using it.

The site of the former Chapel Row level crossing where the Banbridge (left) – Scarva line (closed 1955) crossed the Point Road Image All trace has now gone but the course is marked by the wooden fence at middle right. The Google map is representational only. Subject positioned using the satellite photograph. Image shows the course of the line immediately on the Scarva side of the crossing.

The course of the Banbridge – Scarva line (closed 1955) - right) immediately after it had crossed the Point Road by this level crossing Image, is still clearly visible (lower right). The line continued towards Laurencetown station and Scarva by a bridge across the Bann (left). The bridge has gone but an abutment remains just above the river at upper left – see also Image The Google map is representational only. Subject positioned using the satellite photograph.

The Point Road is a minor road, running south east, off the Banbridge – Portadown road. This view is towards Drumnagally and Ballykeel townlands from the bridge across the Bann Image The autumn colours are now starting to appear along the riverbank. There are two spellings – one with a “w” and one with a “u”. The official usage now seems to lean towards the former but I was brought up with the latter and intend to continue using it.

The River Bann, looking downstream from the bridge on the Point Road Image The Banbridge – Scarva line (closed 1955) crossed from here Image lower right. The only remaining trace is the bridge abutment, just above the river, at middle left.

A Roman Catholic church at the corner of the Point Road (right in Image). A long description in the list of listed buildings includes “A double height cruciform plan Gothic style Roman Catholic Church pre-dating 1830; bell tower added 1912; extensively renovated 1966”. There is a more detailed history in the church’s own website http://www.tullylish.com/churches/laurencetown/15-st-patrick-and-st-colmans-church.

Almost immediately after crossing the Bann Image, the railway passed under the Springvale Road by means of this bridge. Laurencetown station was below the bridge to the left. Image shows the arch.

See Image The arch seen from the Springvale Road. The former station platform Image can be seen at middle right.

Laurencetown station was the largest intermediate station on the GNR's Scarva - Banbridge branch; The only other station, save the two aforementioned termini was Lenaderg. It closed in 1955, but the remains of the platform and the Holymount Road bridge can still be seen today.

Hazelbank Mill, located beside the River Bann, was listed as a bleach mill in the first OS Maps. In the Griffith Maps it was a spinning mill. By 1878 a weaving mill had been added although the mill was at that time disused. Today, the mill houses a hydroelectric plant and a heat exchanger (neither of them are in this building though).