Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has been warned that unless “very significant improvement and investment” goes into Bristol’s infrastructure the city will not achieve its growth ambitions.
Mr Grayling, pictured, met business leaders yesterday on a tour of the region, during which he announced £750,000 towards improvement work on the northbound M5 at junction 21, near Weston-super-Mare. 
But at a roundtable in Bristol staged to discuss the government’s regional transport and infrastructure priorities with local business leaders, he was told that major investment in transport and digital communications across the city-region was essential to maintain growth.
Poor infrastructure is widely seen as a brake on economic development in and around Bristol – with the city-region failing to attract the type of investment that has gone into other major cities such as Manchester. The city’s traffic congestion and frequent snarl-ups – along with its lack of high-quality public transport – are among the most frequent gripes of businesses in the city.
The £1bn, 30-year devolution deal being offered by the government to the West of England’s councils includes funding for transport and infrastructure projects such as the much-needed upgrade of Bristol Temple Meads station and a new junction on the M4 near Emersons Green.
The roundtable was hosted by Business West Chambers of Commerce & Initiative – the membership and leadership organisation representing the voice of 21,000 businesses across Bristol, Bath and the West.
Those present said the Secretary of State had been highly receptive to their views and that he welcomed their valuable input.
Speaking after the visit, Bristol Chamber & Initiative chief executive James Durie 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.”
Mr Grayling said: “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.”
The M5 junction 21 improvements will help support the ‘Weston Villages’ development, which will bring 6,000 new houses and 4,000 new jobs to the area. Developers are investing £450,000 in the scheme, which will be completed in 2018.
Pictured: Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, centre, flanked by, from left, Dr Patricia Greer – interim CEO, West of England LEP and lead officer for city region devolution; Colin Skellett – chairman Wessex Water and YTL Homes UK, previous chair of the LEP; David Brown – chief operating officer, Bristol Port Company; Robert Sinclair – chief executive, Bristol Airport and LEP board member; Professor Steve West – vice-chancellor, UWE & 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
