Barnstaple as a whole (94.2% White British). Barnstaple has a similar ethnic make-up compared with other south west towns, like Truro and Cullompton. North Devon is some distance from the UK's traditional areas of industrial activity and population. In the late 1970s Barnstaple gained a number of industrial companies due to the availability of central government grants for the construction of factories and their operation on low or zero levels of local taxation. This was only partially successful, with few of these lasting more than the few years that grants were available. One success was the manufacturing of generic medicines by
Barnstaple Western Bypass from the Roundswell side to the new two lane carriageway. This allows easy access from the A39 Atlantic Highway to the A361 Braunton Road which generates much of Barnstaple's traffic. The bridge is a balanced cantilever design with reinforced concrete box girders supporting the arms. Other constructions include stream culverts, two pedestrian/cycleway underpasses, minor retaining walls, and a 100-metre three span viaduct providing access for buses, cyclists and pedestrians to Barnstaple railway station. Also built into the plans was the ability to reopen the Barnstaple-Bideford railway in the future should this become financially viable. As with any project of this