West of England Unveils Major Transport Plan with Airport Links and More Trains
The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) has revealed a comprehensive new vision for transport across the Bristol and Bath region, outlining ambitious proposals for a decade of improvements. The plan, part of a 10-year growth strategy, aims to address congestion that reportedly costs the local economy over £150 million annually.
Key Proposals for Enhanced Connectivity
Central to the strategy are new public transport links connecting Bristol city centre to Bristol Airport. Options under consideration include an electric-powered tram or light railway, which would provide a fixed mass transit link—a feature currently lacking at the UK's only regional airport without one. Additionally, the plan calls for new train stations around the region and more frequent rail services to boost reliability and accessibility.
Weca has also proposed developing a mass-transit system within the next four to five years, designed to link key economic centres across the West of England. This initiative draws inspiration from European cities of similar size, such as Toulouse in France and Malmo in Sweden, where such systems have proven successful.
Supporting Sustainable Travel and Local Economy
Beyond rail and airport connections, the transport vision includes enhancements to walking and cycling routes, improvements to streets and pavements, and an expansion of electric vehicle charging points. These measures aim to create a greener, more integrated transport network that residents can depend on.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, emphasized the need for a trustworthy system, stating, "Nobody wants to sit stuck in traffic or hang around for a bus that never turns up. We need a transport system that people can trust, wherever they live." She added that delivering this integrated network is both a necessity and a right for the community.
Broad Support from Officials and Stakeholders
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the vision, noting, "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." This announcement follows less than a year after the government confirmed funding of more than £752 million for regional transport improvements.
Dave Lees, Chief Executive of Bristol Airport, welcomed the proposals, highlighting their potential to connect more people to the airport via public transport and link thousands of jobs to the broader community. He remarked, "Much more could be done if the region works together. It would enable more people get to the airport by public transport and as one of the biggest private sector employers locally, it would connect the thousands of jobs we offer to more people." Bristol Airport recently opened a £60 million transport interchange and plans to replace its bus fleet with all-electric vehicles.
Learning from European Examples and Future Steps
The Weca report assesses progress in European regions comparable in size, noting that around 23 cities in France smaller than Bristol already have mass transit systems, and Utrecht in the Netherlands—with a similar population—boasts three tramlines and over 40 stations. The document also stresses the importance of building new homes near transport links to foster sustainable development.
Councillor Hugh Malyan, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, underscored the practical benefits, saying, "We want to deliver practical, joined-up transport improvements that support local jobs and businesses and make a real difference in our towns, villages and rural communities." Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, added that this plan marks the first steps toward a modern, reliable, and future-proofed transport network, including a mass transit system, that residents deserve.
