Maghera’s big yellow box fame is short-lived

A yellow box junction which was hailed as the biggest in the UK and Ireland has been removed from a County Londonderry town.

The 40m-long yellow markings in Maghera were painted in June, then reduced in size in July, and now have disappeared completely.

However, a yellow box is expected to make a comeback in the autumn, when resurfacing work in the town is completed.

People living and working nearby have been left confused as all the yellow lines have come and gone within the space of two months.

Questions have been asked about the cost of the work, and why the lines were painted in June if resurfacing work was planned in August.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), which is in charge of roads in Northern Ireland, said the costs could not be released as they were “commercially sensitive”.

Explaining the changes which have taken place, a DfI spokesperson said: “The department implemented the yellow box markings at this location to assist with the ease of Translink bus movements to and from the main bus stop on St Lurachs Road.

“The extent of the markings was reviewed following initial installation and subsequently reduced in length to improve traffic flow. The yellow box marking will be reinstated upon completion of the resurfacing on Hall Street.”

Maghera, with its population of fewer than 5,000 people, was dubbed the “small town with the big yellow box” after the first appearance of the markings in June.

The extra-large box stretched along a busy junction frequently used by buses, lorries and cars.

After complaints, the box was scaled back but it took a while as the distinctive yellow markings are not easily removed.

Public realm improvements have been taking place in the town for the past year.

As well as installing new street furniture and widening footpaths, the project tried to tackle traffic flow issues.