West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin has assured residents that the recently announced £752 million transport funding will serve the entire region, not just Bristol. The substantial investment, revealed last month as part of the government’s £15.6 billion package for nine mayoral combined authorities across England, aims to enhance public transport and infrastructure over the next five years.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) encompasses Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset. Mayor Godwin emphasized that the funds will support a range of projects, including bus improvements, increased suburban rail frequency, targeted road upgrades, pothole repairs, and the development of a mass transit system for the area.
Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy welcomed the funding as a transformative opportunity for the region’s transport. However, at a recent WECA scrutiny committee meeting, Bath and North East Somerset Councillor Lucy Hodge raised concerns about the distribution, questioning whether the allocation appeared Bristol-centric. Highlighting that significant portions of the funding—£150 million for rail related mainly to the Brabazon development, £200 million for mass transit in Bristol, and £150 million for maintenance—seem focused on Bristol, she expressed worries about the remaining £200 million shared across the three unitary authorities and its adequacy for local active travel ambitions.
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Councillor Hodge asked Mayor Godwin directly whether the funding distribution was fair and how Bath and North East Somerset could secure support for their active travel schemes, especially given the region’s housing growth and transport needs beyond the constraints of its World Heritage city status.
Mayor Godwin responded by clarifying that current allocation plans are indicative and not finalized. She stressed that the approach aims to benefit the whole region, considering that residents frequently cross administrative boundaries in their daily lives. Godwin underscored her commitment to developing a comprehensive programme for the Transforming City Regions (TCR) fund that reflects regional priorities.
Additionally, she expressed optimism about securing further active travel funding through Active Travel England, which has unallocated resources and views the West of England as strategically important. Highlighting the prioritization of rail, mass transit, and especially bus improvements, Godwin reiterated that efforts are region-wide without a Bristol-centric focus.
Bristol makes up roughly half of the West of England’s population, and areas within South Gloucestershire form part of its urban sprawl. While North Somerset is not yet a WECA member, it is involved in plans for the mass transit network; notably, the funding presents an opportunity to explore a transport link to Bristol Airport, located in North Somerset.