Government, transport and business leaders have welcomed a bold new Transport Vision for the West of England, published today by the Mayor and council leaders. The strategy sets out plans for an interconnected transport network built around investment in buses, rail, mass transit, active travel, and improved streets and places.
The West is currently the fastest‑growing regional economy in the country, yet congestion cost Bath and Bristol more than £150 million last year alone. Transport leaders say the new vision will unlock growth, boost productivity, attract investment and create jobs by improving connectivity across the region.
The Transport Vision sets out five pillars for a modern, integrated system:
- Better buses: reliable, affordable services with a single ticketing system and unified timetable
- More trains: new stations and more frequent services operating with low‑emission trains
- Mass transit: a high‑capacity system linking key economic centres across the region, with construction targeted to begin within four to five years
- Active travel: improved walking and cycling routes, with e‑bikes and e‑scooters supporting short journeys
- Better streets and places: smoother roads, more EV chargers, expanded Park & Rides, and travel hubs connecting multiple transport options
The vision includes first concepts for mass transit, illustrating potential alignments along Redcliffe Way and to Bristol Airport — currently the UK’s only major regional airport without a fixed mass transit connection.
The West of England Combined Authority has confirmed a shared determination among regional political leaders to deliver the groundwork needed to begin building mass transit within the next four to five years. Government ministers and regional partners have backed the initiative, with new stations and expanded rail frequencies forming a key part of future plans.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, commented:
“The West of England is a fantastic place to live and work, and local people deserve a transport network that gets them where they need to be quickly and easily.
"This vision lays out a clear plan for faster, greener, and more reliable journeys. We’re investing over £752 million in the West of England Combined Authority on buses, roads, and rail, and I look forward to working with local councils to make this vision a reality.”
Mass transit options remain open‑minded, with potential modes including trams, light rail, guided buses or other high‑capacity solutions. Leaders emphasise that decisions will balance feasibility, cost and the region’s geography.
The new vision underpins the region’s ten‑year Growth Strategy. Improved transport links will help residents spend less time stuck in traffic, access job opportunities more easily and connect with leisure, education and business centres across the West. Mayor Helen Godwin has stressed that residents “deserve a transport system they can trust”, highlighting the need to secure both public and private investment to transform the network.
This ambitious approach reflects a renewed commitment to long‑term, multimodal improvements that support a greener, more accessible and economically resilient West of England.
Image credit: iStock
