Helen Godwin

Buses are pictured in Bristol

South Bristol will be better connected by the m1 metrobus, thanks to a £3.6 million route extension to Imperial Retail Park.

Together with new night services and green electric buses across the West, we're starting to build the reliable, bus network our region deserves: tinyurl.com/m1extended

A train at a station platform

Plans to build a new railway station at Henbury are a step closer after securing planning approval from South Gloucestershire Council.

It's another welcome boost after the New Towns Taskforce recently recommended Brabazon & the West Innovation Arc for new town status: tinyurl.com/HenburyPlanning

A graphic shows the following joint statement from the Mayor of the West of England and Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset: “The thoughts of people across the West of the England are with everyone affected by the terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester. They, like we, will be moved by the bravery of security staff and worshippers, and grateful for the swift response of emergency services. “Our deepest sympathies go to all those who have been injured, to the families of those who have been killed, and to the wider Jewish community. “Communities across our region will be united in their condemnation of this violence. Together, today on Yom Kippur and every day, we must all stand firmly against antisemitism. “Avon and Somerset Police are providing enhanced support to the Jewish community to help ensure their safety during this difficult time. “Every religious community should feel safe attending their place of worship. Hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated.”

A joint statement with the Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset: tinyurl.com/MayorPCC2ndOct

We've taken the West's new Growth Strategy to government. Since last week:

✅ £40m for Twerton & Hartcliffe
✅ £25m for our creative industries
✅ New town a step closer
✅ GWR set for public control

Together, we’ve turned the page and started a new chapter for our region.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, sat on a bus.

Today's pay deal between First Bus and Unite drivers is more good news in a great week for the West of England, as we work together to build the bus network that local people deserve: tinyurl.com/BusDriverDeal

West of England Mayor Helen Godwin and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy

From Oscar winners to world-famous festivals, culture is at the heart of who we are.

Just days after our Growth Strategy launch, today’s £25 million government boost for our creative sector will mean more opportunities for people across the West: tinyurl.com/25mCreativeWest

Our first FGF #Lab25 event of the day - 'Powering Places, How industrial strategy can deliver national renewal' - featuring 5 panelists:

* @mayorhelengodwin.bsky.social Mayor of the West of England
* @Antonia Bance MP - Business and Trade select committee member
* Alex Bevan - FGF Research Fellow

Recently, the West has outperformed every region on economic growth – bar none. This is the place to invest.

I'm taking our message from this week's Growth Strategy launch to Labour Party conference to secure more investment for the West of England.

Mayor Helen Godwin with Councillors Maggie Tyrrell and Ian Boulton, Leader and Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council.

We’re a step closer to a new town for the West!

The New Towns Taskforce has recommended a corridor of development in South Glos and Bristol, connected by sustainable transport, including Brabazon, a transformed Parkway station, and the Bristol & Bath Science Park: tinyurl.com/WestNewTownCloser

Today’s Rugby World Cup final will be the most attended women’s rugby match in history.

With @mayorofwy.bsky.social, @kimmcguinness.bsky.social, and Lisa Nandy, I’ll be rooting for the #RedRoses🌹 – who have inspired a new generation across our whole country.

Come on England!

Mayor welcomes public ownership for West’s trains - West of England Combined Authority

Public ownership of the West’s trains will return our railways to the service of passengers. Welcome news from Heidi!

Record transport investment, including for more trains; reopening the Bristol & Portishead Line; 5 new stations; and this will put our region back on track: tinyurl.com/WestTrains

The Mayor and council and business leaders are pictured at the launch of the West of England Growth Strategy at the Digital Futures Institute.

Our Growth Strategy launch this week was a celebration of the West.

Since 2019, our region's economy has grown at four times the national rate – and the best is yet to come.

The future starts here.

More photos by Toby Geall/Phoebe Stephen from boomsatsuma: tinyurl.com/WestGrowthStrategyPics

Mayor Helen Godwin is pictured with Andy Council by his new mural at Ashley Down station, with GWR, Network Rail, Severnside and council partners. Photo credit: Freia Turland.

A new mural is pictured at Ashley Down station, featuring the Memorial Stadium and County Ground. Photo credit: Freia Turland.

A new mural is pictured at Ashley Down station, featuring the station, houses, and a train. Photo credit: Freia Turland.

Mayor Helen Godwin is pictured with Bristol Rovers' mascots, Captain Gas and Irene. Photo credit: Freia Turland.

A new mural has been unveiled at Ashley Down train station on its first anniversary, coinciding with @railway200.bsky.social.

Andy Council painted the 24-metre design, which includes local landmarks like the Mem and County Ground, funded by GWR and the combined authority: tinyurl.com/TrainMural

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, and Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, are pictured at St Michael’s Junior School in Twerton ward, Bath.

£40 million investment for Twerton and Hartcliffe has been confirmed, the day after we launched the West's new Growth Strategy.

Local people in Bath and Bristol will ensure that this funding helps deliver real change that our communities can see and feel: tinyurl.com/40mTwertonHartcliffe

The West is not just the best place to invest, to spend money – it’s also the best place to spend time.

As we write this new chapter for our region, this new Growth Strategy lights the way to a brighter future for us all.

Welcome to the West of England. The future starts here.

A green graphic includes white text that reads: "Rail for everyone; We're reviewing how easy it is for people to access railway stations across the region." Next to a photo of two people on a platform, a purple button reads: "Tell us what you think". The WEST logo is in the top corner.

Rail travel should be for everyone.

That’s why the combined authority has launched a new survey about the barriers people face in getting around by train and improvements for older stations, to feed into our future transport investment plans.

Have your say: tinyurl.com/WestRailSurvey

NVIDIA's CEO highlighted Isambard-AI, the UK’s largest supercomputer, based at the NCC and University of Bristol, while announcing further investment today during the State Visit.

Next week we’ll share our new regional Growth Strategy – including plans for the UK’s first AI Supercluster.

West’s leaders unite behind nature at the UK’s first Wild Summit

Nature doesn’t constrain our region’s growth – it’s among the many things driving it.

This morning at the Wild Summit, the West’s leaders confirmed that nature’s recovery will be embedded in our upcoming Growth Strategy: tinyurl.com/NatureWest

📷 Ania Shrimpton

The Rugby World Cup is coming to Bristol, with England's Red Roses versus Scotland at Ashton Gate on Sunday! 🏉

Head down to the free Fan Zone this weekend and next for games on the big screen, activities, and live music through Culture West: tinyurl.com/RWCbristol

We know how handy Dott e-bikes and e-scooters are for some of us, but we all need tidy pavements.

The first week of our #ScootSafe🛴 campaign with Police & Crime Commissioner Clare Moody saw 1,400 parking fines issued (2.5% of rides).

Thanks to everyone who does the right thing, however you travel.

The Y8 WESTlocal bus was extended this week, after a year's campaign.

The service is in place until March thanks to the West's Bus Grant from Government, backed by South Glos and Gloucestershire councils, Claire Young MP and Simon Opher MP – all aboard!

Route/timetable: tinyurl.com/Y8extended

Young people across the West are being supported into work, helping them get on and boosting growth.

£5 million of DWP backing includes free bus travel for young people getting to training and interviews.

135 employers are already involved – join them: tinyurl.com/YouthGuaranteeBiz

Clear out that drawer of old cables and devices!

Great to see Donate IT and Bath's Share & Repair on The One Show, highlighting their great work transforming e-waste for people to use.

I visited their Tech Amnesty recently, which collected over a tonne of old tech!

The new zebra crossing by Ralph Allen School on Claverton Down Road in Bath is pictured.

We're investing £5.4 million in the south of Bath with B&NES Council.

Scholars’ Way will mean a mile of better walking, wheeling, and cycling routes for people, from families on the school run to commuters.

The new crossing by Ralph Allen School is ready for September: tinyurl.com/ScholarsWay

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, are pictured.

A new bus will reconnect Yate, Thornbury, and Cribbs Causeway from next week, thanks to regional funding.

The Y2C will also serve Engine Common, Rangeworthy, Tytherington, Alveston, Olveston, Tockington, and Almondsbury through the WESTlink trial: tinyurl.com/NewY2Cbus

Ten years ago today, over 150,000 people started to visit Dismaland over its five week run...

Now, in the first four weeks of the summer holidays, over 500,000 free journeys have been taken across the West through Kids Go Free!

Read more: tinyurl.com/500kKidsGoFree

Andy Council, a local artist, is pictured painting a colourful mural.

Artist Andy Council will create a new mural at Ashley Down train station, working with Severnside Community Rail Partnership and more.

The artwork, funded by GWR and the MCA, will reflect the area's heritage and mark the station's first year, coinciding with #Railway200: tinyurl.com/AndyCouncilAD

We know how handy Dott e-bikes and e-scooters are for some of us in the West, but it’s time for a better balance.

Alongside my new safety campaign with our PCC, and more marked parking, there will be new fines and bans for irresponsible riding and parking.

#ScootSafe🛴: tinyurl.com/ScootSafeWest

New chapter approaching for Lawrence Hill station

For too long, Lawrence Hill station has not been fully accessible. Regional funding would change that with a new lift, under new plans.

As well as building new train stations, we need to invest in our older ones – and increase services across the rail network: tinyurl.com/StepFreeLawrenceHill

We need to build the right homes in the right places to tackle the housing crisis – with the services and infrastructure that local people need and deserve.

Last week, I spoke to ITV about how we’re working together to do just that and do our bit to help meet the national housebuilding target.