Mayor to prioritise tourist tax, better public transport and links with North Somerset

Labour’s Helen Godwin, the head of the West of England Combined Authority, is marking 12 months in office

An overnight tourist tax across the Bristol and Bath region, better links with North Somerset and improved public transport connections in the South West are among the top priorities for the West of England’s mayor, she has announced.

Labour’s Helen Godwin has marked her first year as head of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) by setting out plans for the future.

Ms Godwin was elected as metro mayor, covering Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire, last May after securing 25.0% of the vote. In the role, she has the power to make decisions on areas such as jobs, transport, the environment, planning and business support.

On Tuesday (May 5), Ms Godwin welcomed news of the Devolution Action becoming law as a “huge step forward” and said the move would “empower” the West.

“Our ambitions match the West of England’s potential as we look to do more, faster,” she said.

Ms Godwin, who is pushing for a potential light rail link to Bristol Airport, said there would be more ‘green’ buses rolled out across the region and plans for a “mass transit” system would be developed, alongside the new train stations at Bristol Brabazon and Charfield.

“In the coming weeks, we will be banging the drum for the country’s fastest-growing regional economy at a major investment conference in Leeds,” she said.

“Bristol Temple Quarter and the Brabazon and West Innovation Arc new town are both among the UK’s biggest regeneration opportunities, which we will continue shouting about to help get more homes built, with the right transport links.”

The mayor also said there was “exciting news to come” for nature in the region.

“There is a lot to look forward to for people across the West of England,” she said.

The one-year milestone comes just days after the landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act received Royal Assent (Wednesday, April 29), meaning more decisions will be taken in the West of England rather than Whitehall.

The new law is set to see the mayor and combined authority secure a raft of additional powers, including in transport, strategic planning, economic development and health.

“As mayor of my home region, I’m proud of the difference that we’ve made over the last year,” Ms Godwin added.

“Our region’s voice is being heard at last, as we work to make the most of devolution.”

During her first year in office, Ms Godwin said she was “proud” to have secured the green light for reviving the Portishead railway line and said building more links with North Somerset remained “a top priority”.

“We have started to deliver real change that people can see and feel,” she added.