The campaign to get a new motorway junction on the M4 east of Bristol was officially launched today with supporters saying it would bring a massive boost to the city’s economy.
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore kicked off the Gateway2Growth campaign two days after he secured the backing of the Prime Minister to look into the prospects for the junction.
At Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons, Mr Skidmore sought the approval from David Cameron, saying the new link road would “help deliver millions of extra investment, new jobs to the Bristol region and provide the Kingswood area with the access to the motorway it needs”. 
Mr Cameron replied: “He is absolutely right. We do need to deliver better transit schemes in Bristol and I know the Transport Secretary will be happy to look at the campaign and the case he makes.”
Campaigners say the area around Emersons Green’s business parks and the Bristol and Bath Science Park are vital to the economic growth of east Bristol. Yet the roads are often congested as traffic is forced back towards the M32 and M4 junction 19.
Firing the starting gun on the campaign today at the Science Park, Mr Skidmore, pictured at today’s launch, said: “I am delighted that the campaign for junction 18a has been launched.
“It is an issue that has been neglected for far too long. There has been significant economic development in this area and we need a road infrastructure to cater for this growth and the future development that is expected here.
“I have been leading the fight for the new 18a link since entering Westminster and the need for a new road link is more becoming pressing than ever if we are to maximise the area’s economic potential and minimise future congestion for people living and working here.”
The junction between the M32 at Hambrook and the A46 at Tomarton and a new road link would provide significantly faster and improved access to Emersons Green Enterprise Area, which has been identified as a key area for economic growth over the next 12 years with up to 7,000 jobs predicted to be created.
As well as the Science Park, the area is home to major businesses and organisations such as the National Composites Centre, Airbus and Sainsbury’s distribution depot.
The campaign group has already received local political support and will include members of the local business community.
West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) chair Colin Skellett, said: “Business have for a long time identified congestion in the area around the Emersons Green Enterprise Area as an issue. The LEP are working with the local authorities on a joint study looking at the future transport needs across the West of England. I would expect a new M4 junction in the area will be part of this work, as it provides an opportunity to improve connectivity to one of our key growth locations.”
Bristol Chamber & Initiative executive director James Durie added: “Getting transport infrastructure right is vitally important to the long term prosperity and health of the Bristol, Bath and West of England economy to give world-class strategic connectivity for people and goods as part of a modern integrated, sustainable transport system.
“Whilst technology and the needs and choices of business and individuals are fast changing, the 18,000 members of Business West have long recognised the need for a new junction on the M4 catering for a fast-growing residential and commercial population. We strongly support the creation of a new M4 junction at the earliest opportunity as an important component of our transport system.”
South Gloucestershire Council rejected a new junction in 2000 in favour of improving public transport and cycling routes. But it is now spending £80,000 on a feasibility study to examine the idea
