Barnstaple Barnstaple Barnstaple ( or ) is the main town of North Devon, England and possibly the oldest borough in the United Kingdom. It is a former river port, located at the lowest crossing point of the River Taw, flowing into the Bristol Channel. From the 14th century, it was licensed to export wool, since the merchants claimed that the town had been declared a free borough in Saxon times. This brought great wealth to Barnstaple, whose town centre still preserves a medieval layout and character. Later the town became an importer of Irish wool, but its harbour silted up, and
Barnstaple Western Bypass 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. The bridge is a balanced cantilever design with reinforced concrete box girders supporting the arms. Other constructions 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 was the ability to reopen the Barnstaple-Bideford railway in the future should this become financially viable. As with any project of this