The Bristol and Bath area is poised for significant economic growth and job creation following the unveiling of an ambitious 10-year Growth Strategy led by West of England metro mayor Helen Godwin. The comprehensive plan outlines the creation of 72,000 new jobs and sets the stage for a 28% economic expansion across the region by 2034.
Covering South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), the blueprint focuses on attracting investment, harnessing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, advancing renewable energy production, and improving transport infrastructure. Key initiatives include tackling child poverty, expanding affordable childcare, and generating 135 megawatts of renewable energy.
A central feature is the proposed £500 million West of England Land Acquisition Fund to address housing shortages, ensuring high-quality residential developments alongside essential infrastructure to support growing communities and businesses.
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At a recent event at the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, Mayor Godwin emphasized the strategy’s inclusive vision: “The future starts here. Our Growth Strategy is about securing investment to create visible, tangible benefits—new jobs for local people, better transport to cut congestion, and stronger productivity across our region.”
With a population exceeding 1.2 million and a regional economy worth £53.7 billion, the Bristol and Bath area has seen a 21% economic increase since 2015. The Growth Strategy highlights sectors with exceptional employment gains over the past decade: the everyday economy (+17%), digital and technology (+52%), creative industries (+82%), and clean energy (+140%), outperforming national hubs such as London.
To focus efforts, the plan designates key growth zones including the West Innovation Arc, Central Bristol and Bath, the Severn Estuary, Somer Valley, and North Somerset Growth Gateway. These hubs are expected to drive innovation and regional development.
Local leaders have expressed strong support. BANES Council leader and deputy mayor Kevin Guy called the strategy “ambitious” and reflective of the region’s “amazing opportunities.” Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer highlighted the city’s role as a powerhouse in creative industries, clean energy, and innovation, stressing the importance of regional collaboration to deliver homes, jobs, and opportunities.
The strategy also aligns with environmental commitments recently made by West Country leaders to reverse nature decline. Additionally, investment in Visit West aims to bolster tourism, a sector contributing £2.5 billion annually, employing 45,000 people, and attracting 32 million visitors a year.
South Gloucestershire Council leader Maggie Tyrrell praised the inclusive approach, emphasizing the need to ensure prosperity benefits all residents through quality jobs, education and skills development, accessible housing, and efficient transport links both within the region and beyond.
The West of England Growth Strategy is set to be presented to the Government next week at the Labour Party Conference and will be reviewed at the Mayor and council leaders’ joint meeting on October 17.