The North Devon Journal has won the battle to get changes made to roads in Barnstaple.

This week, the Government has announced that £30m will be spent on a new by-pass and bridge over the River Taw.

The scheme is set to radically reduce traffic jams in Barnstaple and lead to increased investment in the area.

The news follows the Journal's Build our Bridge campaign, where thousands of readers filled in petition forms which were then sent to Transport Minister Lord MacDonald.

Journal news editor, Alex Goodman, said: "We are delighted that our campaign has been so successful. It just shows the power of the press can sometimes triumph.

"It's not just about a new road and a new bridge, it's the whole future of the region's economy and development which is at stake."

Devon County Council leader, Brian Greenslade, said: "Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in getting the go-ahead for the new bridge.

"When I was first elected to the county council I was told by more senior members that we would never get the by-pass built. Now we have been given the green light."

Work will begin on the project in 2002 and the new by-pass and bridge could be open in 2004.

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