Exeter Bypass
Exeter Bypass | ||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||||||||
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From: | Pinhoe (SX954938) | |||||||||
To: | Shillingford Abbott (SX919887) | |||||||||
Via: | Countess Wear Bridge | |||||||||
Distance: | 4.7 miles (7.6 km) | |||||||||
Former Number(s): | A38 | |||||||||
Primary Destinations | ||||||||||
Highway Authorities | ||||||||||
Traditional Counties | ||||||||||
Route outline (key) | ||||||||||
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The Exeter Bypass was an important prewar bypass on a major arterial route, in this case the A38. However, it became a victim of its own success and became a notorious bottleneck in its own right for holiday traffic heading to Devon and Cornwall until the M5 was completed in 1977.
Route
It started just west of Pinhoe and branching off the old route into the city to the south, partly following the course of the original A378, and partly on new build, including a bridge over the A30 (now B3183). It crossed an upgraded Countess Wear Bridge over the River Exe, and multiplexed briefly with the A379 on the other side before joining back up with the A38.
The bypass was constructed in three sections. The section from Pinhoe to the A30 opened in 1933, with the section from the A30 to the A377 opening later in 1935. The final southern section from the A377 to the A38 opened in 1938.
The old road through the city was initially renumbered as the A3085.
The bypass was largely constructed as single carriageway, and consequently became unable to cope with the increasing vehicular traffic during the 1950s and 1960s, particularly over Countess Wear. This led to the construction of the M5 in the 1970s, with a new bridge over the Exe further downstream.
Unlike other contemporary bypasses (such as the Winchester Bypass), virtually all of the old Exeter Bypass still exists as part of a local through route, and continues to be congested.
The built Exeter Bypass is not to be confused with the unbuilt 1970s Exeter Northern Bypass, designed to link the A30 and the M5.
History
Stage 1 - Pinhoe to A30 Heavitree
Stage 1 from Pinhoe to Hill Barton railway bridge was completed in September 1933. A widened section of Hill Barton Lane was used to join the A30 Honiton Road at Heavitree. Contractor was Kings Asphalt Ltd. with tender price at £25,786 18s 2d .The widening of the railway bridge was completed in April 1934. Original number was A378, then A3084, prior to full bypass opening in 1938.
Stage 2 - A30 Heavitree to A377 Countess Wear
Stage 2 from Hill Barton railway bridge to A377 at Countess Wear was opened on 27 April 1935. It included a flyover at A30 Honiton Road at Heavitree. Contractor was Staverton Builders Ltd. with tender price at £70,844 1s 11d. Light traffic could continue on the existing narrow road over Countess Weir Bridge and Exeter Canal Bridge to A379 at Matford. Original number was A378, then A3084, prior to full bypass opening in 1938.
Stage 3 - A377 Countess Weir to Peamore
Stage 3 from A377 Countess Wear to Peamore was opened by Leslie Burgin, Minister of Transport, on 22 February 1938 in an official opening of the full bypass. Total cost for the 5 mile bypass had been £230,000 of which £190,000 was funded by the Ministry. Stage 3 included a new steel swing bridge at Countess Wear and a reconstructed bridge over the River Exe. It included a section of multiplex with A379. The full bypass was re-numbered A38.
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