Barnstaple Western Bypass Barnstaple Western Bypass 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 it was opened on 23 May 2007. The scheme consists of a single two lane carriageway, one roundabout and three traffic signal controlled junctions. of new road was constructed and a long, five-span, downstream bridge was built across the River Taw. A new roundabout has been created between the Newport and Roundswell roundabouts with a feeder lane
Barnstaple and it was the largest textile centre outside Exeter until about 1600. Its wool trade was further aided by the town's port, from which in 1588 five ships were contributed to the force sent to fight the Spanish Armada. Barnstaple was one of the "privileged ports" of the Spanish Company, (established 1577) whose armorials are visible on two of the mural monuments to 17th century merchants in St Peter's Church, and on the decorated plaster ceiling of the former "Golden Lion Inn", 62 Boutport Street (now a restaurant next to the Royal and Fortescue Hotel). The developing trade with America