West welcomes record transport funding

Leaders across the region have today welcomed more than three-quarters of a billion pounds set to be invested in transport projects in the West. The Chancellor has announced plans to more than double investment in local transport in England’s city regions, committing to “investment in all parts of the country, not just a few.”

Around £150 million would further improve rail infrastructure across the region and support ambitions for four trains per hour across our growing suburban rail network, including between economic growth zones like Brabazon and Bristol Temple Quarter.

With the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority area already benefitting from a nearly 50% increase in funding to fix potholes this year compared to last year, we are paving the way to the future. Continued funding through transport settlements is supporting the maintenance and enhancement of roads, bridges, and active travel routes. These essential improvements – delivered through close collaboration between local councils and the Mayoral Combined Authority – are not just about upkeep; they’re enabling the long-term transformation of how people move around the region.

This news comes just a day after the opening of Bristol’s first electric bus depot in Hengrove, with electrification set to take place in Bath and Lawrence Hill next year. More than 250 new electric buses are set to serve bus passengers across our region next year. Some £200 million of the new funding from the Treasury would provide scope to improve and extend services, transform the network, and deliver an electric fleet and the associated charging infrastructure.

Significant funding, in the region of £200 million, would enable mass transit development between Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. Trams, an extension of the popular Metrobus services, rail, light rail, and guided buses are all currently on the table. In the autumn, a new transport vision will set out the long-term direction of travel for the West of England.

 

Welcoming the news one month after she became Mayor, Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:

“Our region has a strong economy overall, but we know that congestion has held the West of England back from achieving its full potential. We’ve been stuck in the slow lane on transport for too long. Our potential additional contribution to the national economy is enormous. It’s time to invest in the West and unlock that growth.  

“I promised to work with government and get the West of England moving. Three-quarters of a billion pounds of new money for transport will do just that, as we start a new chapter for our region. Together, we need to accelerate plans to secure better buses, deliver more trains and railway stations, and give local people proper alternatives to their cars. Trams, Metrobuses, rail, light rail, and guided buses are all on the table to make that a reality.

“Over the years, as a region, we’ve talked too much about mass transit and delivered too little. It’s finally time to deliver a mass transit system that people can rely on. Working with the new government, and with genuine collaboration between local councils, it’s time for real change.”

 

Sarah Warren, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said:

“This investment marks a turning point for sustainable transport in our region. It is a huge opportunity to deliver a cleaner, greener and more connected future that our communities deserve. From progressing mass transit options to electrifying our bus fleet across Bath & North East Somerset, this investment will help us tackle costly congestion, achieve our net zero targets, and make it easier for people to choose public transport, walking and cycling. On top of the work that’s already being achieved in B&NES, this is welcome news for our region. We look forward to working with our regional partners to deliver a transport system fit for the 21st century.”

 

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“This fresh investment is very welcome and allows us to finally begin to achieve the regional mass transit system we've needed for so long. Our plans are already in place to make our bus networks more available, to expand the reach and access of rail and to connect the communities of Bristol with opportunities in our city and the wider West of England. This new funding will allow us to get on with creating the transport system Bristol is crying out for.

“I look forward to working with Helen and my fellow leaders to deliver for the people in our region.”

 

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“We’re very pleased to see this significant funding coming to the West of England that will help us move towards a fully integrated public transport system that works for residents and businesses. Investment in the region’s transport infrastructure is vital to help people keep moving around the area and we need better, more reliable bus services, more trains, and a mass transit system to offer more effective and sustainable travel choices.”

 

Cllr Mike Bell, the Leader of North Somerset Council, said:

“I welcome this funding as a positive step forward for our region. It’s vital that North Somerset benefits from mass transit development, which has the potential to transform how people travel and support our transition to a greener, more connected future. I’m committed to working closely with the Mayor and our partners to improve transport, unlock growth, and ensure our local economy continues to thrive.”

 

The new government set out the record settlement to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through Transport for City Regions as part of the Plan for Change, ahead of next week’s Spending Review.

The West of England delivered the strongest recent growth of any combined authority area (3%, 2023). The region is also predicted to achieve double the national forecast rate of productivity growth by 2040.

**Snip**

All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.   

Famous paddle steamer takes to Bristol Channel



The world's last seagoing paddle steamer returns to the Bristol channel this month.

The Waverley is a vessel of national significance and is registered on The National Historic Fleet with almost 80 years of service.

It has operated in preservation since 1975 becoming a "national treasure" after carrying an estimated six million passengers.

"We have developed the best possible sailing programme for the Bristol Channel to ensure that as many locals and visitors as possible have the opportunity to step aboard the Waverley," said Captain Dominic McCall.

Strong winds in early June affected an excursion and a crew member noticed a boiler leaking steam on the ship which needed to be repaired immediately.

The ship will now be ready to set sail again for its planned tours on 6 June where passengers can join a special fundraising cruise round the Holm Islands to help support the maintenance of Clevedon Pier, the only Grade 1 listed pier in England.



This season includes two planned trips to the remote Lundy Island – passengers that board the Bristol channel experience will be allowed to step ashore and explore the island.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway the Waverley is giving the "ultimate day out" by connecting three steam railways – the West Somerset, the Brecon Mountain and Lynton & Barnstaple railways by taking a paddle steamer and steam train trip.

Trips around the Bristol Channel and South West Wales are until 25 June, where the Waverley will be exploring Glasgow and Clyde Coast Summer from 27 June.

All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC▸ (Level Crossing) though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.

The existing path, known as West 15/16, including the section over the level crossing (LC) (referred to by Network Rail as Penleigh Park FP level crossing), is currently open to the public.

The last routine level crossing risk assessment carried out by NR in August 2023 recorded a very high number of daily crossings, an average of 203.

This assessment was carried out post the redevelopment of the location. Until recently the crossing was rural on one side of the line, attracting only occasional use with leisure walkers and small amounts of commuters from Westbury. It is now a fully urban location both sides of the crossing are built with residential buildings up to the railway boundary.

The alternative route for the walking public would be via Oldfield Road, Bridge Court, Station Road, Amazon Way and vice versa, which is approximately an additional 1km journey. The alternative route from point to point is shown on Plan 2.

Network Rail have stated in their extinguishment application that there is now a serious risk of fatality If the level crossing is not closed. Network Rail’s assessment of safety concerns include the following:
• The level crossing has a very high number of daily crossings as it provides the most convenient access from the new housing development towards Westbury Town, local amenities, including the schools, shops, parks and recreation ground.
• The level crossing is located on the Westbury Avoiding Line which provides a faster link for trains.
• Network Rail is aware that the crossing is used by vulnerable and encumbered users deemed by Network Rail not be able to use the crossing with the same degree of awareness and safety as other users, the risk assessment modifies the time these users take to cross by 50%.
• Network Rail is also aware of misuse of the crossing.
• The crossing is already at the highest level of protection, therefore without the construction of a bridge no additional mitigation can be provided.

Ridiculous.  Someone mentioned it's a railway job, that's automatically an additional zero added!

All the houses they've built around Penleigh Park LC though, surely improvements to the crossing should have formed part of the developers planning application and funded by them.  

£5,000,000 pounds for a footbridge to replace the crossing

Eyewatering!

I hesitate to imagine how that cost is broken down, but it's not all going to be design, steelwork and labour

Makes £60Bn for 140 miles of HS2 seem like a bargain

Interesting perspective on the issues and risks involved with these types of crossings in general.....

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12K9u3WiHKT/

... and the on-train signs and announcements switched to Flemish.

FirstGroup’s proposal is for two return journeys a day (one on Sundays) between London Paddington and Hereford, calling at Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction as well as providing direct London services at Cwmbran, Pontypool & New Inn and Abergavenny.

Further details can be found here https://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2025/06-06-2025.aspx

Only 2 journeys a day but is there room for more OA services into Paddington?
And if all the proposed OA services run won't there be a loss of service to all the places east of Bristol that these and the other First Group OA services don't stop at, if you assume that these services will take some existing paths?

05:59 Gatwick Airport to Reading due 07:33
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23:33 Reading to Gatwick Airport due 01:08 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47

06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

There's a really good model railway shop in the centre of Aachen too - close to the Town Hall.

Nothing for Devon & Cornwall - Quelle surprise!

How about this for an idea? Since our government has decided that it can spend £15Bn, of our money, on transport projects why not complete the section of GWML Electrification between Chippenham (ish) and Bristol. A better service for passengers, Ed Miliband would be very pleased with the reduction in diesel emissions, and the NIMBY's in Bath aren't going to vote for you anyway so you can just tell them, politely, to go away.

  the cost of electrification per kilometre in Scotland had reduced from £2.7 million to £2 million over the course of the past five years
The rolling programme was a fundamental part of the reduction.

we can do slightly better each time because we find slightly better ways of doing it. Retention of skills is absolutely critical to our ability to do that.