South West region 'depends on transport network for financial success'

Date: 26/2/2010

A group of Labour MPs has warned that there is a need for better transport links in order to secure the financial prosperity of the South West.

The South West Regional Committee released a report which looked into the role of the transport network in the region.

It highlighted how the area is affected by the worst traffic congestion in the country as it has the greatest reliance on car use than anywhere else, and drew attention to the high cost of travelling by rail.

The Transport in the South West report called for "robust research" into transport improvements that could bring "the greatest economic benefit" to the region and criticised regional airports lack of ambition to improving public transport links for air travellers in the area.

The committee looked at evidence from more than 90 local organisations and made recommendations to resolve the "piecemeal" approach to the region's infrastructure challenges.

The report welcomed the government's £1 billion project to electrify the rail line between Swansea and London Paddington, but called for the publication of the government's rolling stock plan to try to remedy the problem of overcrowding on some suburban rail services in Bath and Bristol.

MPs also recommended that local authorities should argue their case more effectively to demonstrate how an improved road network could improve the region's economic future.