‘Bring North Somerset into the fold to complete the Bristol & Bath City Region’

It is hard to think of a more attractive and prosperous city region than ours of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Glos. And yet there is a vital missing piece.

I had the task of negotiating the formation of the West of England Combined Authority with the government towards the end of my term as elected mayor of Bristol, but North Somerset’s then leadership chose to play silly politics and sacrifice major funding in the process.

One of the first jobs of a newly elected West of England mayor must be to bring North Somerset, which now has a much more enlightened leadership, into the fold.

I have to say I am nervous about the outcome of the coming election on May 1. And we only have ourselves to blame if it goes horribly wrong.

We need to vote for a metro mayor who is prepared to put their party politics to one side and fight like hell for a better future for all.

Six candidates are competing in the West of England mayoral election – photo: WECA

There is much to do to make a fairer society and a cleaner and healthier environment so in the last few days we owe it to ourselves to read the candidates’ manifestos, distinguish the grand-standing from the thoughtful and vote for the person who we believe has the interests of the region at heart

Here are my top-20 manifesto points for the next West of England elected mayor (I am not standing but I still care!)

1. The West of England deserves a mayor who puts people and place before party
2. Clear out politically appointed staff and reduce mayoral office costs
3. North Somerset to be invited into the fold to complete the UK’s best city region
4. Support and promote our engineering, university research and creative industries
5. Create a planned new town for 100,000 people with Bristol Parkway at its heart
6. Take control of public transport to provide an integrated bus and rail service
7. Put children at the heart of an extensive walking, cycling and nature-first strategy
8. Create a park & ride site and service at the M4/M32 junction north of Bristol
9. Bath, Bristol and all urban areas to become health-promoting clean air zones
10. 100 per cent support for the new Western Forest including recreational opportunities
11. A skyline study and policy to restrict high buildings in inappropriate locations
12. Oppose expansion of Bristol Airport and help reduce its car dependency
13. Work with the region’s farmers to increase food security and healthy lifestyles
14. Support new renewable energy schemes including a new Severn tidal lagoon
15. Collaborate with all four councils to create a strategic community & housing plan
16. Work with all relevant government departments to secure regional funding
17. Make a deal with the Zoo Society to save Bristol Zoo Gardens from destruction
18. Work with Bath Rugby and Bath City to create a stadium fit for a Roman city.
19. Encourage investment in the arts and sport as catalysts for local regeneration
20. Rename the ‘West of England’ to a more recognisable ‘Bath & Bristol City Region’

I am ready to work with the next mayor, whoever is elected on May Day, to make real change happen. But first we have to vote!

This is an opinion piece by George Ferguson, elected mayor of Bristol from 2012 to 2016

Main photo: North Somerset Council

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