The proposed bridge will be 400 metres long

Plans for the Barnstaple Western Bypass include a 2.7 kilometre stretch of new road and a 400-metre long five-span bridge across the River Taw, to be known as the Downstream Bridge.

Some land is having to be bought by compulsory purchase for the road.

Friends of the Earth campaigner Anthony Brown has won permission from the court to challenge a decision by the Secretary of State for Transport on obtaining land for the scheme.

Disturb seabirds

Mr Brown claims the site should be treated as if it was a conservation area.

He has said the project will seriously disturb large numbers of seabirds on the Taw and Torridge Estuary, along with the habitat of endangered otters.

High Court judge, Lord Justice Robert Carnwath said the "proposed grounds of appeal raised arguable points".

He ordered a hearing by the full Court of Appeal before the end of the month.