Drivers gobsmacked by ‘massive’ yellow box junction

Is this the biggest yellow box junction in the UK, Ireland or even the world?

People in a County Londonderry town say they are gobsmacked by the size of a new set of road markings.

Maghera has been dubbed the “small town with the big yellow box” after the road markings were painted earlier in the week.

The box stretches more than 40m along a busy junction frequently used by buses and lorries as well as cars.

It is aimed at improving traffic flow on the A29 Tobermore Road.

Melissa Caskey, who works in an office which overlooks the box, said she was shocked when she first saw it.

“It’s massive. It’s ridiculous. Everybody who comes into our office says – ‘have you seen the size of that box out there?” she said.

“It’s really silly and very few people know how to use it. But I do think they had a good reason for it because that’s a very busy junction.”

She said a smaller box would have been better.

Some residents highlighted the need for safer driving and said they hoped the new box might help.

Barney Regan, who runs a bar nearby, said he hoped it might become a tourist attraction.

“The north coast has the Dark Hedges and the Giant’s Causeway, we’ve got the largest box-junction in Ireland,” he said.

The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted for comment.

Situated in the town centre, the yellow box is close to local businesses including a cinema, but is also used by through traffic.

While there is criticism of the size of the traffic flow measure, there is a general recognition that traffic flow in the town needs to be improved.

Many other towns and villages in Ireland claim to be home to abnormally large phenomena.

• For many years the peninsula of Doagh in Donegal was said to be home to Ireland’s largest searchlight as part of the Donegal Lapland festival each Christmas
• The village of Ross Cross in County Meath is said to be home of the island’s largest 99 ice cream
• Donegall Quay in the centre of Belfast is the domain of what is reputedly the largest statue of a fish in Ireland
• Cork city is believed to have Ireland’s largest roundabout – the Kinsale Road roundabout which has five separate arms.