B12 (Crumlin - Lurgan)
| B12 | ||||
| Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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| From: | Crumlin (J152761) | |||
| To: | Lurgan (J079585) | |||
| Via: | Glenavy, Aghalee, Aghagallon | |||
| Distance: | 14.1 miles (22.7 km) | |||
| Meets: | A52, B38, A26, B156, B104, B105, B156, A76, A3 | |||
| Former Number(s): | A26 | |||
| Primary Destinations | ||||
| Highway Authorities | ||||
| Traditional Counties | ||||
| Route outline (key) | ||||
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For the original B12 between Glenavy and Moira, now A26, see B12 (Glenavy - Moira).
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The B12 is a north-south road to the east of Lough Neagh. The road was originally part of the A26 mainline but gained its present number when that road was upgraded and rerouted to serve the new M1.
The road starts at a mini-roundabout at the western end of the A52 in the centre of Crumlin and heads west along Main Street to another mini-roundabout, where it turns left. It heads south out of town and follows a straight course for a mile or so before bearing left to go over the disused Lisburn to Antrim railway line. We now enter Glenavy along Crumlin Road.
We run briefly alongside the Glenavy River before crossing it, after which the B38 comes in from the left by the war memorial. We then pass through the village centre, on the far side of which the B12 TOTSOs right; ahead is a spur leading to the A26 bypass. Continuing west, we go back under the railway line and shortly TOTSO right; the unclassified road ahead is signed to Ballymacricket.
It's not long before we have to give way at a crossroads. The road to the right, although unclassified, is signed as the B12 to Crumlin and indeed that is the quickest way back to our starting point. Ahead is the B156 and we TOTSO left. The winding road continues south across undulating countryside and presently reaches Lower Ballinderry, where the B104 bears left to Upper Ballinderry. The next village is Aghalee, on the far side of which we cross the obviously disused Lagan Canal, built to connect Lough Neagh with the River Lagan and so Belfast.
Now heading southwest, we meet the other end of the B156, which has taken a longer route via the shore of Lough Neagh since we saw it last, and then go over the M1. A few more bends then take us into Lurgan. There's a level crossing on the Belfast to Dublin railway line after which we follow North Street into the town centre. The road ends at a signalised gyratory surrounding Shankhill Parish Church, where it meets the A76 and A3.
