The Government has unveiled an ambitious £800 million investment to enhance the transport network in Bath, North Somerset, and surrounding areas, as part of a broader £15.6 billion public transport upgrade across England.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed that the West of England region will receive a significant share of this funding, with £200 million allocated specifically to develop mass transit connections linking Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset.
Helen Godwin, the newly appointed Mayor of the West of England, emphasized the critical need for this investment. “Our region boasts a robust economy, yet congestion has stifled our growth for too long,” she said. “We’ve been stuck in the slow lane when it comes to transport. This new funding is pivotal to unlocking the full potential of the West of England.”
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Godwin highlighted the ambitious vision to improve public transit options, including enhanced bus services, additional train stations, and viable alternatives to car travel such as trams, Metrobuses, light rail, and guided busways. “For years, we’ve discussed mass transit plans but delivered too little. It’s time to build a reliable system that local people can depend on. With strong collaboration between local councils and government, real change is within reach.”
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has confirmed that the investment will prioritize key projects to improve connectivity and reduce congestion throughout the region.
Beyond the West of England, the national funding package will also support expansions of metro systems in Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands. Additionally, South Yorkshire will see renewed tram networks, while West Yorkshire will develop new mass transit systems.
In her speech delivered in Manchester, Chancellor Reeves underscored the importance of balanced economic growth across the UK. “Britain cannot rely solely on a few places forging ahead,” she stated, advocating for a “new economic model driven by investments in all parts of the country.”
The upcoming government spending review on June 11 will include proposed changes to the Treasury’s Green Book guidelines, which currently guide project funding decisions. These guidelines have been critiqued for favoring investments in London and the South East. The updated rules aim to ensure a fairer distribution of resources, giving every region an equitable opportunity to secure funding.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, writing in the Manchester Evening News, framed the announcement as a step towards decentralization, stating it is “about pushing power out of Westminster and putting it back in the hands of communities who know what they need.”
This announcement marks the first major reveal ahead of the June 11 spending review that will outline departmental budgets for the next three years along with investment spending for the next four.