Geograph - photograph every grid square

The proposal for an eastern bypass of Ballynahinch (on the Belfast – Newcastle road) emerged in the 1970’s but was abandoned for financial reasons. Now revived to the stage where a route has been selected. The present proposal is for a road of just over 2 miles of which two thirds would be 2+1 and the rest single carriageway. There are no intermediate accesses planned in the present scheme. There is no exact indication of when work might start. This series of photographs is based on my understanding of the scheme and is only intended to show a layman’s view of the approximate route before work starts.
Note added 3 March 2012: the proposed road was the subject of an Assembly debate on 24 January 2012 (full proceedings here) Link.
The following is of note “The scheme will involve substantial earthworks to traverse the drumlin topography and ground conditions along the route, which includes the flood plain of the Ballynahinch river. Three substantial structures will be required where the route crosses Moss Road, Crossgar Road and the Ballynahinch river. Consideration has also been given to requests to provide a junction where the proposed bypass crosses the B7 Crossgar Road. That work is recorded in the comprehensive stage 2 preferred options report. I am pleased to be able to confirm that Roads Service has also agreed that the scheme should include a junction with the B7 Crossgar Road”.
Quoting from an answer in the Assembly on 19 November 2012: “ Roads Service officials have confirmed that work to progress the development of a specimen design is ongoing, together with the planning and completion of the required surveys, including a detailed environmental survey, that are necessary to progress the scheme. As the Member will appreciate, strategic road improvement schemes, such as the Ballynahinch bypass, can only be provided at considerable cost, which in this case is estimated to be in the range of £40 million to £50 million. That level of funding is not available in the current Budget period, during which the A5, A8 and A2 schemes are being progressed. However, Roads Service will continue to progress the A24 Ballynahinch bypass scheme, as resources allow, so that it can be ready for construction should finance become available”.

The Belfast and County Down Railway ran from Queen’s Quay station in Belfast to Castlewellan via Comber, Downpatrick and Newcastle. There were also lines from Comber to Donaghadee via Newtownards, Belfast to Bangor and branches from Ballynahinch Jct to Ballynahinch and Downpatrick to Ardglass. The lines opened between 1848 and 1892. All closed by 1950 except for Castlewellan – Newcastle which survived until 1955 as part of the GNR(I) route from Belfast via Banbridge and the Bangor line which remains open but from Belfast Central.