A50 (Northern Ireland)
A50 | ||||||||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||||||||||||||
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From: | Portadown (J015541) | |||||||||||||||
To: | Newcastle (J375317) | |||||||||||||||
Via: | Banbridge | |||||||||||||||
Distance: | 30.4 miles (48.9 km) | |||||||||||||||
Meets: | A27, A51, A26, A1, A25, A2 | |||||||||||||||
Former Number(s): | B26, B28 | |||||||||||||||
Primary Destinations | ||||||||||||||||
Highway Authorities | ||||||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | ||||||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | ||||||||||||||||
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The A50 (renumbered in the mid-1920s from the B26 south of Banbridge and B28 to the north) is a medium-length A-road in eastern Northern Ireland.
The road starts at a roundabout on the A27 (former A3) in Portadown, just to the east of that road's bridge over the River Bann. The road heads east then south to leave town along Gilford Road, following the river upstream, at a distance. After passing the golf course it crosses the B2 at a roundabout before continuing across the fields to a T-junction. Left is the B3 whilst the A50 TOTSOs right to enter Gilford. In the village centre there is a mini-roundabout where the A50 turns left (right is the A51).
The road now heads east, still alongside the river, and then follows it in a gentle curve round to the right. We go through Lawrencetown and shortly reach a roundabout on the A26. There now follows a lengthy multiplex into Banbridge. In the town centre we reach traffic lights on the original line of the A1 (now an extension of the A26 - but for many years this meant we were on a useless multiplex), where we turn right then left for the A50 to regain its number. It's not long before we cross a bridge over the present A1 bypass, after which we pass a turning on the left leading to an at-grade T-junction on the A1.
We pass the last of the buildings and enter open fields. Presently we skirt Corbet Lough and continue on to another T-junction where we TOTSO right; left is the B25. A few miles further on we finally cross the river for the first time, although it's pretty narrow by now - and when we cross it again not long afterwards it's barely visible. Having left behind our companion from the start (even though the river was seldom seen from the road) we follow a winding course up into the hills. We skirt Castlewellan Forest Park to enter Castlewellan itself. On the near side of the village we reach a roundabout on the A25 and multiplex along it along Main Street to a mini-roundabout where the A50 regains its number by turning right.
The A50 heads south along Newcastle Road, showing its final destination. It's not long before open country is reached and we descend gradually for a couple of miles, with the Mountains of Mourne clearly visible to the right. Presently we enter Newcastle, entering town along Castlewellan Road. The road ends at a roundabout on the A2 coast road to the north of the town centre.