The chief executive of Bristol & Bath Science Park today called on Bristol’s elected mayor to champion science and technology to put the city on the map.
Bonnie Dean said a key task of the mayor, who will be named today following yesterday's election, must be to maximise commercial opportunities, with everything from financial and practical support to cutting red tape.
“He must also fight for the city’s interests in Whitehall. Bristol has the fastest-growing economy outside London and raising the city’s profile will maximise growth not just for the South West, but for UK plc,” she said.
“Research-led industry – from aerospace to robotics – is a leading sector for Bristol and the South West and offers unique potential to secure the future of the regional economy. In many of these technologies Bristol is on par with the US and other leading advanced economies. Such technologies have the potential to be developed into entirely new industries located in the city region. Our new mayor needs to keep the national spotlight on these emerging opportunities.”
Labour candidate Marvin Rees, the bookies’ favourite to win the election, said during the campaign he had visited the science park at Emersons Green and would support its work if elected, particularly in attracting new employers to the area.
Ms Dean said affordable sustainable local transport was key to Bristol’s success. While the science park is outside the 
city boundaries, it must be linked to Bristol’s Temple Quay Enterprise Zone and the Enterprise Areas around the region.
“Our workforce is faced with limited transport alternatives to the car, making it expensive, congesting and polluting to get to work,” she said. “Steps are being taken – we hope the first bus route through the science park will be announced soon. But I would like to call on the mayor to take an active involvement in North Bristol SusCom, a group of major employers located along the A4174 promoting sustainable transport to their employees.”
North Bristol SusCom director Ann O’Driscoll added: “Reducing congestion, particularly in the North Fringe, is essential if Greater Bristol is going to deliver new jobs and business growth. The mayor can really help by driving forward the delivery of the major rapid transit schemes which will enable many of our 40,000 employees to travel smarter and more sustainably.”
