Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, attended a roundtable in Bristol on Thursday October 20 to discuss the government’s regional transport and infrastructure priorities with local business leaders.
Hosted by Business West Chambers of Commerce & Initiative – the membership and leadership organisation that represents the voice of 21,000 businesses across Bristol, Bath and the West – the day’s agenda centred on transport investments and priorities for the city region.
Representatives in attendance put forward the views of local businesses and employers ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s 2017 Autumn Statement, in which the government’s spending priorities for the coming year will be announced.
Speaking of the visit, James Durie, Chief Executive of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative at Business West, said: “The Secretary of State’s visit to the region is a timely opportunity to express the national importance of investment into the transport infrastructure of our city region. We are a generator of wealth for the UK and our future competitiveness, productivity and growth plans will be determined by factors including how much investment is put into our transport and connectivity. As a high performing growth area we are hugely ambitious to move forward and transform our local transport system.
“Considerable progress has been made on our transport infrastructure in recent years however very significant improvement and investment is needed across all modes of transport and our digital infrastructure to enable us to meet the needs and ambitions of this city region going forward. It was excellent to be able to discuss with the Secretary of State the challenges and opportunities we have on behalf of the many businesses, individuals and communities we represent.”
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling added: “The major investment we are making in transport infrastructure across the South West is improving journeys for local people as well as helping industry grow across the region.
“This is part of our plan to deliver an economy that works for everyone and ensure that prosperity is spread throughout the country.”
Following the visit, representatives present at the roundtable discussion said that the Secretary of State was highly receptive to the views of local businesses and that he welcomed their valuable input.
Pictured above from left to right: Dr Patricia Greer – Interim CEO, West of England LEP & Lead Officer for City Region Devolution; Colin Skellett – Chairman Wessex Water & YTL Homes UK – Previous Chair of West of England LEP; David Brown – Chief Operating Officer, Bristol Port Company; Robert Sinclair – Chief Executive, Bristol Airport & LEP Board Member; Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP; Professor Steve West – Vice Chancellor, UWE Bristol & President, Business West – Chambers & Initiative & LEP Board Member; James Durie – Chief Executive, Business West – Chambers & Initiative & LEP Board Member; Ian Bell – Executive Director, Bath Chamber & B&NES Initiative at Business West; Roger Key – Director, Key Transport – Chair, Business West Transport Group
