The Secretary of State for Transport meets Bristol & Bath Business Leaders

Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, attended a roundtable in Bristol on Thursday 20^th October to discuss the government’s regional transport and infrastructure priorities with local business leaders.

Hosted by Business West Chambers of Commerce & Initiative - the membership and leadership organisation that represents the voice of 21,000 businesses across Bristol, Bath and the West - the day’s agenda centred on transport investments and priorities for the city region.

Representatives in attendance put forward the views of local businesses and employers ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s 2017 autumn statement, in which the government’s spending priorities for the coming year will be announced.

Speaking of the visit, James Durie, Chief Executive of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative at Business West, 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.”

Transport Secretary Chris 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."

Following the visit, representatives present at the roundtable discussion said that the Secretary of State was highly receptive to the views of local businesses and that he welcomed their valuable input.