Plans for faster trains and 30 new stations
Under the proposals, 30 new stations will be built, an additional 23 services per hour will be launched and six stations will be upgraded across the south west of England and south Wales.
If approved, the Western Gateway Partnership's Rail Deal will see journeys from Bristol to London reduced to an hour, and Bristol to Cardiff shortened to 30 minutes.
Sarah Williams-Gardener, chair of the partnership, said the area is "poised to be the fastest-growing region outside of London".
Leaders of the partnership gathered in Cardiff on Tuesday to launch the deal, which could cost up to £11bn and be partly funded by central government.
If delivered, organisers believe it will add an extra £17bn to the UK economy and could see an extra 248,000 people connected to stations in rural areas including south Wales, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset.
"It [south Wales and the west of England] has not had the critical investment in public transport infrastructure that other areas of the country have seen, particularly in rail," Ms Williams-Gardener said.
"This Rail Deal is deliverable and proportionate to the extraordinary offer that our economy presents to the UK."
Dan Okey from Great Western Railway said they have "worked with partners for several years" on the plans and welcome the "collective ambition for investment".
"We know that rail connectivity plays a vital role in supporting our communities and the plans for sustainable economic growth," he said.
Improving the rail network could also help to shift freight from roads to rail, reducing carbon emissions, the deal's report states.
As part of their ambitions to reach net zero, leaders hope to "address the gaps in electrification that lead to a high proportion of diesel services being run" across the area, the deal's report states.
The Western Gateway is made up of local authorities, businesses and universities from across the south west of England and south Wales.
A full Report on the deal proposals was published on Tuesday.
Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Rail company defends 'disgraceful' Sunday disruption
Rail passengers warned of 'significant disruption'
Storm Bert causes widespread rail disruption
Western Gateway Partnership
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
LA PR Firm Olmstead Williams Communications Celebrates 17 Years of Leadership, Innovation and Impact
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Olmstead Williams Communications (OWC) today marked 17 years of delivering PR results for the technology, healthcare, fintech and professional services industries. Launched in a recession and a client lifeline during Covid, the resilient agency reflects the vision and commitment of founder Tracy Olmstead Williams. 'Seventeen is a milestone, but it's not a finish line,' said Williams. 'We're witnessing a revolution in how information is disseminated, from generative AI to social media platforms. It's still a sprint for us to make sure our clients keep up and stay ahead.' She emphasizes the evolution of public relations since 2008. Traditional phone outreach has been overtaken by X direct messages (DMs), text, email, video conferencing and social media as faster, more effective ways to reach reporters and stakeholders. News rooms are now introduced to potential news stories by personal email outreach, with data backups and easy proofs provided instantly by alert PR teams. Public opinion can be influenced in real time, and reputations are shaped by how quickly and effectively a company responds. Generative AI tools, from Google Gemini to ChatGPT to Canva AI, are redefining how stories are created, discovered and trusted. The firm maintains a focus on helping clients combine their industry expertise with effective communication that aligns with how success is indexed, ranked and shared. As OWC enters its 18th year, the tools have changed but the objective remains the same: drive real business outcomes. 'The industry has never been more exhilarating. You must adapt for how the game is played today and be ready for what's to come tomorrow,' said Williams. About Olmstead Williams Communications Olmstead Williams Communications is a leading Los Angeles tech public relations firm specializing in reputation management, crisis management, media training and thought leadership. Its message training prepares CEOs for the national news media stage. More at
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business Wire
POTTERY BARN LAUNCHES COLLABORATION WITH ROLLER RABBIT
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pottery Barn, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today, a new home collaboration with vibrant fashion and lifestyle brand, Roller Rabbit. Roller Rabbit's new partnership with Pottery Barn builds upon Roller Rabbit's existing popular home furnishing collections with both the Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen brands. The new Roller Rabbit for Pottery Barn collection combines Roller Rabbit's signature motifs, heritage prints and vibrant aesthetic with Pottery Barn's design expertise and commitment to quality. Designed to bring a playful optimism to the home, each piece in the collection celebrates color and comfort and infuses personality throughout the bedding, decorative pillows, rugs, and wallpaper offerings. 'We approached this collection with Roller Rabbit with intention and creativity,' says Monica Bhargava, Pottery Barn President. 'Our teams came together around a shared design vision, and the result is a collection that brings a fresh, expressive point of view into the home, one that feels both joyful and timeless.' 'At Roller Rabbit, we believe in the power of color, joy, and storytelling in every space and we couldn't be more excited to bring that spirit into homes across the country through our collaboration with Pottery Barn,' said Ed Bertouch, CEO of Roller Rabbit. 'Building on the success of our collections with Pottery Barn Kids and Teen, this new partnership allows us to expand our heritage prints and playful sensibility into new rooms of the home, with the quality and design expertise for which Pottery Barn is known.' To explore the collection available now, visit and follow along on social @potterybarn and @rollerrabbitofficial. ABOUT POTTERY BARN Pottery Barn, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, is a premier specialty retailer for casual, comfortable and stylish home furnishings. The brand is dedicated to beautiful ideas for real life, quality products that are crafted to last, sustainability and service. Key product categories include furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, window treatments, tabletop, lighting and decorative accessories. Nearly all Pottery Barn products are designed in-house and are exclusive to its catalogs, stores and website. Pottery Barn is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA. INC. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's brands — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — represent distinct merchandise strategies that are marketed through e-commerce, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands collectively support The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India. ABOUT ROLLER RABBIT Roller Rabbit's story is fueled by curiosity and one that finds inspiration in global travel. Best recognized for its vibrant plays on pattern and whimsical motifs, the brand thrives off togetherness and a passion for imperfect fun. The Roller Rabbit story began in India with a piece of discarded fabric. More than a piece of hand block printed cotton, this fabric told the tale of a magical rabbit and its quest for joy. With a mission to outfit vibrant lives through clothing, accessories, and home decor, Roller Rabbit has cultivated a large following of sleepwear enthusiasts. Founded in 2003, Roller Rabbit's victory is anchored in the rich craftsmanship and charming prints its catalog includes. With a collection that can adorn your bed and brunch wardrobes and embellish your home top to bottom, the Roller Rabbit lifestyle is about making every moment extraordinarily bright. The Roller Rabbit family loves a matching moment and memorable delight. From grandma to baby, there's something special for everyone. In its nearly 22 years of business, Roller Rabbit has become a global household name. With 13 U.S. storefronts and growing and a worldwide e-commerce following, Roller Rabbit has excelled in the sleepwear market. From admired fashion/lifestyle partners to key travel players, collaborations have only strengthened the brand's ties to its family-oriented community. WSM-PR
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business Wire
Houston Attorney Dana Massett Joins Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Commercial litigator Dana Massett has joined the Houston trial firm Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger (BOWS), enhancing the respected trial firm's complex civil and commercial litigation work in federal and state courts. Ms. Massett represents insurance, manufacturing, energy and financial services clients in litigation involving employment agreements, breach of contract, products liability defense and insurance coverage disputes. 'One of the factors that sets Dana apart is her extensive insights into both the day-to-day and large-scale pressures facing businesses, having been in those same trenches earlier in her career,' said firm co-founder David Bissinger. 'The combination of legal acumen with practical business insight affords her a perspective that will be invaluable to clients.' Prior to attending law school, Ms. Massett worked as an account manager for global integrated oil companies, where she originated, negotiated, and managed long-term natural gas sales, transportation and storage contracts with large industrial end-user customers. She later founded a productivity consultancy, partnering with businesses and professionals to clarify goals, overcome challenges, and implement tailored strategies to improve organizational workflow. A 2023 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, she was managing editor of the Houston Journal of Health & Law Policy, and a member of the Order of the Coif and Order of the Barons. She also holds an MBA, summa cum laude, from Loyola University and an undergraduate degree in management from Louisiana State University. She joins BOWS from McDowell Hetherington LLP. Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger LLP is a Houston-based business trial and transaction firm focused on providing impactful, cost-effective solutions to complex disputes and transactions requiring careful attention, extensive experience and a high level of sophistication.
