Barnstaple Western Bypass
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The Barnstaple Western Bypass is a congestion-relief scheme designed to take road traffic away from the town centre of Barnstaple, a market town in Devon, South West England. Construction of the new road started in the Spring of 2005 and is expected to be completed by Spring 2007.
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[edit] Logistics
The project will consist of 1.7 mile (2.7km) of new road and a 409 metre long five-span bridge, the Downstream Bridge, across the River Taw.
[edit] Proposal of the project
The project consists of a single two lane carriageway, one roundabout and three traffic-signalled controlled junctions. The new roundabout will be created between the Newport and Roundswell roundabouts with a feeder lane from the Roundswell side to the new two lane carriageway. This allows easy access from the A39 Atlantic Highway to the A361 Braunton Road which generates much of Barnstaple's traffic.
Other plans include stream culverts, two pedestrian/cycleway underpasses, minor retaining walls and a 100 metre three span viaduct providing access for buses, cyclists and pedestrians to Barnstaple railway station. Also built into the plans is the ability to open the Barnstaple - Bideford railway in the future should this become financially viable.
[edit] Construction
As with any project of this scale, many companies are employed in the development. Edmund Nuttall Ltd. , a major civil engineering group, is the main contractor.
[edit] Cost
It is estimated to cost £42 million. £38 million of this amount will come from the central government. Devon County Council will also contribute.
[edit] Economic impact
An economic impact study was made and it was estimated that after 5 years the project would generate an extra £248 million in business turnover and would create 1,280 jobs.
[edit] Critics
Critics would say that the Western Bypass would endanger wildlife and the environment. Friends of the Earth campaigner Anthony Bown claimed it would disturb large numbers of seabirds on the Taw and Torridge Estuary, along with the habitat of endangered otters.
They are also worried that the bypass will attract more vehicles and therefore further contribute to pollution, although it has also been argued that the bypass will reduce pollution by substantially reducing traffic jams and journey times in and around Barnstaple.
Some locals are also upset that the decoration chosen for one of the new roundabouts comprises of Cornish stone, as the road is really a gateway to North Devon.
[edit] Time
The project started with a turf cutting ceremony in the first week of February 2005 and it is scheduled for completion by the Spring of 2007.
