“Other parts of the country that have already had billions for mass transit systems are getting billions more to make them even better”This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Andy Burnham, the metro mayor of Greater Manchester, poses in front of a night bus(Image: Copyright Unknown)
The news that the Government is to invest £752 million in transport projects in the West of England has been welcomed across the region – although not everyone is completely happy with the announcement.
Council leaders across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset lined up to praise Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement, but those not in power questioned whether the news was actually all it was cracked up to be.
Conservatives in Bristol claimed the money had already been announced once before – by the Tory Government back in 2023 – had been put on hold when Labour got into power in Westminster in 2024, and was only now being re-confirmed and re-announced as if it was something new.
Meanwhile, Lib Dems in Bristol said the West of England was being ‘short-changed’, pointing out that cities and regions in the north of England and the Midlands were getting much more money – into the billions – compared with the West of England.
The announcement itself on Wednesday was carefully choreographed. As Rachel Reeves gave a speech in front of a bus up north announcing a whopping £15.6 billion for transport around the country, the new Labour metro mayor in the West of England, Helen Godwin, was doing interviews in front of an old tram at the Aerospace Museum on the northern edge of Bristol.
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But one of the first things she clarified was that, contrary to the Government’s announcement that £800 million was heading west, it was, in fact, £752 million. What had happened was all the other regions were getting more than a billion pounds, some more than two billion, so the list was written in billions, and the West of England’s £752 million was initially written as £0.752 billion, creatively rounded up to £0.8 billion and then converted back to ‘£800 million’ when it arrived in the West. But no, it was £752 million – those £48 million were never ours to start with.
Mayor Godwin already had an idea what the money would be spent on, including £200 million to improve and extend buses in the region, £150 million to transform the paltry one-an-hour suburban rail lines around Bristol and Bath, with the promise of a train every 15 minutes, and £200 million to ‘enable the planning of a mass transit system’.
A list of city regions in England and the amount of money they were receiving in the Government announcement on transport investment in June 2025.
The West of England’s total is actually £752 million, but was rounded up by the Government to £0.8 billion when it was announced.(Image: Dept of Transport)
There were other things like better cycling infrastructure and big investments in fixing pot-holes, so everyone was a winner. Or actually not really, according to Cllr Andrew Brown, (Lib Dem, Hengrove & Whitchurch Park).
The Bristol City councillor pointed out that, while the West of England were getting £752 million for a few more trains, better buses and what will probably be yet another feasibility study into whether you could get a tram line to Bristol Airport, other parts of the country that have already had billions for mass transit systems were getting billions more to make them even better.
“Out of the £15.6 billion settlement, the West of England will only receive £0.752 billion,” he pointed out. “This leaves the West of England well behind the biggest winners, with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands receiving £2.5bn and £2.4bn respectively.
“Even the smaller city region of the Tees Valley is set to receive more than the West of England, with it seeing a £1bn funding allocation in the settlement,” he added. “A new Labour Mayor hasn’t moved the dial on the West of England being consistently short-changed.
“Our region is a net contributor to the national purse, and yet our transport infrastructure is not receiving the funding that it so desperately needs.
“It is time that the West of England gets its fair share, so that real improvements to our region’s transport problems can be made,” he added.
Lib Dem Cllr Andrew Brown(Image: Alex Seabrook )
Another Bristol Lib Dem councillor said talk of a mass transit system was something wearily familiar for people in the West of England. “Bristolians have heard the same promises of mass transit before, only to be left with no signs of progress,” said Cllr Nicholas Coombes (Lib Dem, Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze).
“The Regional Mayor needs to work with Bristol and the other councils to develop realistic plans that work for our area. Additional investment in public transport must also reduce current fares.
“Under this Labour Government, people have already seen the £2 bus fare cap increased. The cost-of-living crisis continues to put a huge strain on people’s finances, and making public transport more affordable is a must for a more sustainable future,” he added.
But that wasn’t exactly a view shared by other Lib Dem politicians around the region, where there was no pointing at better deals in the north and the Midlands. The leader of the Lib Dem-run South Gloucestershire Council said the investment was ‘vital’.
“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,” said Cllr Maggie Tyrrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury ).
“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,” she added.
And the Lib Dem deputy leader in Bath & North East Somerset was also pleased. “This investment marks a turning point for sustainable transport in our region,” said Cllr Sarah Warren (Lib Dem, Bathavon North). “It is a huge opportunity to deliver a cleaner, greener and more connected future that our communities deserve.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader, climate emergency and sustainable travel(Image: Bath and North East Somerset Council )
“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,” she added.
The Conservative candidate in last months’ metro mayor elections, Steve Smith pointed out the announcement had a familiar ring to it. “This is great news,” he posted on X. “Just as it was when the Conservative Government announced it for the first time in October 2023. Labour ‘paused’ it when they came to office, and are now finally coming through with the cash.”
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