Member Briefing: West of England Growth Strategy Published September 2025 The Growth Strategy can be read in full here: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/aboutus/our-strategy/west-of-england-growth-plan/ What area does the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WEMCA) cover? •
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The Mayoral Combined Authority is led by the Mayor, Helen Godwin, and covers the three geographical areas of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The Mayoral Combined Authority also supports the Local Enterprise Partnership, which is business-led, and covers the four West of England councils, including North Somerset Council.
Overall priorities for the West of England •
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Social improvements, including: o Lifting children out of poverty o Providing affordable childcare o Supporting young people into work o Helping with the cost of living Economic development, including: o A transport network that meets the needs of the region o Better paid jobs o Building thousands of new houses o Attracting and supporting more businesses o Fostering global trade and investment relationships o Investment in local universities o Creation of new districts for businesses and people Environmental and sustainability goals, including: o A drive on green innovation and reduction of pollution o Protection of landscapes and nature o Supporting climate resilience
Overview: Transport in the West of England • • • •
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WEMCA will publish and deliver a new regional transport strategy. In the next decade, WEMCA aims for at least 45% of commuting journeys to be made by active travel and public transport. They will work to improve the suburban rail network, and deliver mass transit for the West of England. They aim to work towards a ticketing system that would allow passengers to move between services with a single ticket; and consolidate timetables across operators. They recognise the opportunities around linking transport with housing, and will work with partners to unlock growth opportunities. The accessibility of public transport is a priority – making it easier for people to use public transport, and focusing on first/last mile solutions.