The West of England Initiative is committed to addressing the problems posed by traffic congestion in our region, and an ageing rail infrastructure, both of which are barriers to economic growth. We also seek investment in world class digital connectivity, including superfast broadband and other innovative solutions to improve connectivity.
Strategic Transport Plan
The absence of an effective transport infrastructure in the West of England is a major constraint on growth in the city-region. The Initiative is working with Local Authorities and the West of England Transport Company to instigate a new transport provision and congestion plan, and is supporting any schemes that are suitable and sustainable. Following our extensive discussion with the 4 local councils, the senior officers have recognised the need to produce a new strategic transport vision, we will be working closely with local authorities to deliver this vision.
Planning, Transport and Climate Group
The built environment has a considerable impact on the prosperity of the city region, its environment, businesses and communities. The Bristol and the West of England Initiative and Chamber of Commerce run a Planning, Transport and Climate Group which meets monthly to discuss the key planning, transport and climate change issues in the city and wider West of England region. The Group takes action through responding to specific planning applications, consultations and liaising with public sector representatives. It draws on the expertise of its members so that the business community is represented and its views on key policy decisions are shared and heard. The Group is actively supported by the Business West Policy team.
Resident Parking Zones
The Initiative is working closely with Bristol City Council and the Mayor of Bristol on RPZ. Whilst we support the policy, we want to see amendments to the scheme and put in place more workable measures and timescales, to ensure the RPZ can be as successful as possible.
Metro Bus
The Initiative is in strong support of the MetroBus scheme. MetroBus will be an express service, separate from general traffic in places, with faster and more reliable journey times.
The service is part of the West of England comprehensive integrated transport strategy to reduce car dependency and congestion with:
- Passenger transport improvements
- Measures to improve cycling and walking
- Traffic and parking management
- Improvements to rail via MetroWest
2050 Enterprise Arc
The Initiative plays a part in running a working group focusing on the Enterprise Arc. The Enterprise Arc marks the areas of high growth across North Bristol, stretching from Avonmouth in the West to Emersons Green to the East.
The Enterprise Arc area of North Bristol will witness a significant increase in houses and jobs in the future, with three major applications currently in progress to develop the Cribbs Patchway, New Neighbourhood and Filton Enterprise Area. The growth in this area is crucial to the rest of the city and The Initiative is working to stress the importance of this area, ensuring that adequate infrastructure is provided to facilitate this growth and link the development areas across the North to the wider city of Bristol. The group meets once a quarter, with members liaising with developers and the council.
