Complex sentence: Unemployment levels remain stubbornly high at around 8%, well above the national average, and it is hoped that the consturction of the bypass will help bring new investment to the reigon, primarily to Barnstaple to help create new jobs.
Split into simpler sentences: Unemployment levels remain high at around 8%, well above the national average. It is hoped that the construction of the bypass will bring new investment to the region, primarily to Barnstaple, to help create new jobs.