What’s the Combined Authority all about James White Public Transport Consortium 7 September 2017 The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) covers Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
WECA also supports the Local Enterprise Partnership and Joint Committee, which includes North Somerset.

Where we are West of England Combined Authority covers Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire The LEP also incorporates North Somerset and Business Population of 1,131,300 90% of residents work within the area

6th/8 City-region LEP areas Key facts and figures 43.6% degree level 36.8% West of England England 13.5% Business Birth Rate 2014 6th/8 City-region LEP areas 26th/39 LEP areas Aerospace – 9 out of 12 of the largest aerospace companies

Key challenges “Our vision is to be a beacon of growth and innovation; a place where everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential and where prosperity delivers for everybody.” Productivity is leveling off Skill shortages constrain growth across key sectors Region’s transport system is under strain Housing delivery and affordability is a critical issue Broadband speed and connectivity is variable Future growth must be more environmentally sustainable Pockets of deprivation

Key transport challenges The scale of the challenge NOW Congestion costs £300m Peak time average speed 22.4 mph (23.7mph nationally) 300 deaths per year in Bristol attributable to poor air quality (1 death per 1,500 population, compared with 1 death per 2,200 nationally) 29% of C02 emissions are from transport (24% nationally) 64% travel to work by car (highest of all core city regions) 8.8% of journeys by public transport (lowest of all core city regions) 2026 Congestion costs £500m Delays up 17% 2036 Congestion costs £800m Delays up 40% Vehicle trips up 26% Time spent queuing up 74% Journey time up 9% C02 emissions up 22%

Where there has been investment in buses, rail and cycling we are experiencing unprecedented levels of growth. We need to build on this. Cycling growing by 10% per year Due to Cycling City, Local Sustainable Transport Fund, Cycling Ambition Fund and Travel Access Fund. Bus passengers up by 7% in 2015/16, while nationally numbers fell by 0.6% and by 1.5% in other Core City regions. Due to Greater Bristol Bus Network investment, First Bus fares policy review, residents’ parking scheme rollout. Rail passengers up by 56% since 2008 and by 122% on the Severn Beach Line. Second highest growth in UK, from 0.5m to 1.4m passengers a year. Due to service improvements and enhanced stations and publicity.

Transport devolution powers Joint Local Transport Plan Concessionary travel Supported bus services Real Time Information Community Transport Key Route Network Clean Air Zones Bus franchising £30m West of England Investment Fund per year

Going forward Joint Transport Study New Joint Spatial Plan New Joint Local Transport Plan New programme of major schemes MetroWest MetroBus Improve connectivity in the region to increase access to jobs, reduce congestion and promote sustainable transport choices.