In light of the disappointing news from this week’s budget, which saw the failure of the Great Western Freeport bid and major infrastructure funding still not confirmed for the West of England, it’s even more important for business that the incoming West of England Mayor is a powerful advocate and leader for this region on the national stage.
It is very disappointing that other regions, largely in the North of England, Scotland and Wales, were prioritised in the Budget over our own.
We know the business community helped support and put forward a very strong business case for a Freeport, putting our west coast deep-sea port at the heart of a national hub for global trade and which directly supported the government’s levelling up agenda, but this was rejected.
There was also no confirmation of funding for the major infrastructure package that has been submitted to Government that is needed to bring Bristol Temple Meads forward as a station fit to serve this region in the 21st century. This is despite the ongoing major regeneration of the immediate surrounding Temple Quarter, and the station’s status as the major public transport hub for Bristol and ‘Western Hub’ for the UK.
This is holding back significant private sector investment in the City and the wider West of England region that would flow from the investment.
Despite assurances from government, it seems that once again businesses and communities across this region will be missing out on vital opportunity and investment, with the focus put elsewhere.
Looking forward it is critically important that the West of England Mayoral election on 6 May delivers a powerful advocate and leader for this region on the national stage and we will be putting this point to all the candidates as a key priority for our business community.
Business wants to work in strong partnership with whoever is elected to help ensure that Westminster recognises that levelling up also applies to communities across the West and that this area needs its fair share of investment and support.
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