Transport, skills and new homes have been highlighted as key priorities for the West of England. Tim Bowles, Regional Mayor, will focus on better and more frequent rail services, investment in skills, and building new homes more quickly over the coming year.

The West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership’s business plan for 2018-19 confirms the focus – and it’ll form part of the key discussion at the West of England Economic Growth Conference later this year.

Tim Bowles said: ”Devolution is already making a big difference to our region – over the past year we have secured £150m in additional funding from government to invest in transport, homes, business support and skills. Our business plan sets out where we will focus our time and resources during 2018 and 2019 to benefit our residents. Transport is a priority. We’ve already allocated millions to kick-start improving our busiest routes – including rail, road, walking and cycling. Improving suburban rail is an area I’m passionate about and I’m working the Government and Network Rail to make sure we have more and better services. I was with the Secretary of State for Transport on Friday and I know he supports my ambitions for better suburban rail services.”

Housing was also highlighted as a key area for the region with the Regional Mayor saying: ”Building homes, particularly affordable homes, is another priority for us all. New government funding announced earlier this month is going to help progress housing development sites, and we’re making plans, working with our constituent councils and our housing associations, to deliver more affordable homes. Skills will also take centre stage. We have many high-quality jobs and we need to give locally grown talent every opportunity to secure employment, by making sure they have the right skills for our businesses. We’re going to review the careers advice and guidance that’s available at the moment and make plans to improve it. Future Bright will be launched soon, and will support around 3000 people living in social housing into better jobs.”

Professor Steve West, Chair of the West of England LEP and confirmed keynote speaker at the West of England Economic Growth Conference, said: We are an economically successful region where businesses start, grow and thrive in high numbers. We have a good business support system in place – but there is more we can do. This plan sets out how we will work with business to look at how we do more to help businesses achieve their potential, as well as attracting more to our region. Increasing productivity and exports are key areas of focus along with continuing to find new ways to support innovation, which is at the heart of so much of our success. We will also be working with businesses, government and other key partners to develop a Local Industrial Strategy for the West of England, which will inform our business plan into the future.”

We’re looking forward to the West of England Economic Growth Conference – join us there to discuss housing, infrastructure, transport, industrial strategy, devolution and much more!