Western Gateway

Improving our communities' access to jobs, skills and opportunity has long been a key founding pillar behind our partnership. 💷 With talk of more money on the table for Welsh rail, our area needs to come together now, more than ever before, to demonstrate joined up support for investment to allow our communities to benefit. 🚉 In 2023, we launched our Partnership's Rail Vision for 2050 which put forward an ambitious shared aim across transport bodies, local leaders and businesses for halving journey times across our area. 📅 On Tuesday, we launch our Rail Deal in Cardiff at Hugh James offices, which takes that ambition and demonstrates how we can deliver it in practice. Developed in partnership with local authorities and transport bodies, our Rail Deal provides a deliverable, affordable plan for how our area's potential can be unlocked to deliver for the UK. Great that our Chair, Sarah Williams-Gardener, was able to speak to Mike Griffiths this week to give a little teaser on what to expect 👇 Places for the launch of our Rail Deal are running out. Secure yours by booking today 👉 https://lnkd.in/eF8R2hFn

Over 100 businesses from a range of different sectors, alongside universities, local authorities and other public sector organisations have stepped forward to voice their support for the Western Gateway and our potential to boost the economy of South Wales and Western England.   Our area has the potential to become the fastest growing economic area outside of London over the next five years, if we can continue to collaborate across borders! 🤝   Following last year’s budget the Government announced its “minded to” decision to withdraw funding from all Pan-Regional Partnerships, including the Western Gateway, following a short four-week consultation which ended on 16th December.   We are currently waiting on a decision from the UK Government, with one expected in the next couple of weeks. 📅     We've been blown away by the number of positive responses from organisations across South Wales and Western England, urging the Government to not withdraw funding, allowing us to continue to collaborate at scale and channel growth in our area.   👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eq_nQ9Sb

We're delighted to hear the Chair of Great British Nuclear, Simon Bowen FREng, has highlighted the Western Gateway’s pivotal role in creating the conditions for new nuclear development, siting our work on the Severn Edge project! https://lnkd.in/dpkwQfU8 It’s great to see these remarks from the Chair of GBN, recognising the key role the Western Gateway played in paving the way for this £multi-billion investment in ensuring our area is at the forefront of developing new nuclear technology for the UK. Western Gateway has worked in partnership with local authorities, landowners, and academic institutions to position Severn Edge as a key component of the UK’s nuclear roadmap. Starting as a bid to bring the UK’s first fusion reactor to the area, the Severn Edge low carbon energy park brings together two decommissioning nuclear power stations in Oldbury and Berkeley to create new jobs and skills opportunities building on the area’s energy legacy. By championing nuclear innovation, our region is set to create green jobs, attract investment, and establish itself as a leader in the UK’s clean energy future. ⚡ 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dsQRfbXz

📣 The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Western Gateway call for ideas! Co-chaired by Labour MP Catherine Fookes and Conservative Peer Lord Davies of Gower, the APPG exists to raise the profile of the Western Gateway economic geography of South Wales and Western England and champion opportunities for the region in Parliament. With the current Labour government’s Mission on Delivering Economic Growth, the APPG is keen to ensure that our region receives its fair share of that investment and growth, and is at the heart of the UK’s future economy!    We need to work collaboratively between academia, businesses and regional, local and national governments, in both Westminster and Cardiff to realise this. That's why we would like to invite submissions of potential future activities for the group to undertake. We are interested to hear your suggestions on the following:  📈 Inward Investment 🚄 Connecting Communities 💡 Supporting Innovation ⚡ Energy Security and Net Zero If you would like to submit a suggestion please visit our website to fill out the form: https://lnkd.in/eYpGkMgn

Delivering on Growth - The Western Gateway Rail Deal On the week that the Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, reiterated her commitment to growth, we in the Western Gateway unveiled our transformational plans to improve infrastructure across one of the most productive areas of the UK with our new Rail Deal! Halving journey times and bringing an extra 250,000 people within one-mile access of a local station, our Rail Deal unites our local politicians and transport authorities under one “cross border” plan, which could bring an extra £17bn to the UK economy by 2030. Great for Growth Great for Communities & Commerce Great for the Environment   Read more here https://lnkd.in/edM3Mz28 An important part of our Rail deal is Cardiff Parkway. We were delighted to hear yesterday that Eluned Morgan confirmed she was granting planning permission for this development. This is a significant positive step in improving connectivity for our communities as we saw endorsed by Jo Stevens. Whilst we welcome the Chancellor’s continued focus on growth, it was noticeable that alongside her support for projects, like a new runway for Heathrow, there was a lack of recognition for the potential we have across Wales and the South West. We need all parts of the UK collaborating at scale if we want to truly unlock our growth potential.   The Western Gateway is uniquely placed to deliver this as the only growth focused partnership to bring together two Governments and 28 local authorities. Alongside business and universities across our natural economic geography, our collective mission is to create sustainable economic growth and attract investment. Recent research shows that our area has the potential to be the fastest growing economic area outside of London over the next five years if we can maintain the momentum we’ve created through our partnership.    We’ve been trying to reach Jim McMahon MP as the Minister responsible for Pan-Regional bodies, about his pending decision on whether to cease funding for our partnership at this critical time for our country. Connectivity is the backpack bone, for communities, for commerce and for critical for economic growth.    Rachel Reeves – if you want to see growth, back our Rail Deal and back the Western Gateway today. Thank you to our partners and board members for their continued support of this transformational deal: Clr Huw Thomas Clr Tony Dyer Clr Dimitri Batrouni Cabinet Secratary for Transport & North Wales Ken Skates MS Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government Wales Office/Swyddfa Cymru Great Western Railway (GWR)Transport for Wales Network Rail Western Gateway STB West of England Mayoral Combined Authority CROSS COUNTRY TRAINS LIMITED Arup Hugh James FinTech Wales Nia Watkins CEng FICE Phil Harrison David McCallum Alex Madden Dan Okey Andrew Jenkins Andrew Roberts Mark Barry James Cooke John Wilkinson Mike Griffiths Sion Barry

📣 Today, we launched our Rail Deal overlooking Cardiff Central Station in the Hugh James office!   The Western Gateway Rail Deal, developed with local authorities, businesses, Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway (GWR), amongst others, provides a credible step by step plan for how investment can be targeted to deliver new train stations and halve journey times for the 5 million people who live across South Wales and Western England.   Our Rail Deal provides a deliverable, relatively affordable plan for how our area's potential can be unlocked to deliver for the UK. With the potential to: 🚉 Open up 31 new stations; 🚄 23 additional services an hour; 👩 And connect 248,000 additional people to a local train station... Adding at least £17bn of value to the UK economy!   With over 100 political and industry stakeholders from across South Wales and Western England, we were able to start the conversation on delivering excellent transport for our region!   Huge thanks to our panellists, Phil Harrison, Nia Watkins CEng FICE, Alex Madden, David McCallum, Dan Okey, Cllr Huw Thomas, Sarah Williams-Gardener and to Cabinet Secretary for Transport in Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government Ken Skates MS, for his video message of support. 👉 Read more here - https://lnkd.in/eNstq3Cz

💡 If you’re based in the South Wales or Western England and have an active interest in the hydrogen space, GW-SHIFT's new webinar series is your free ticket to improved knowledge, understanding and contacts in this thriving sector. The first session on 31 January is an opportunity to get to grips with the hydrogen economy in the Southwest.     Alongside Professor Tim Mays from the University of Bath, you’ll dive into the potential of hydrogen and its carriers. Discovering new opportunities in the space, this online session will provide a comprehensive overview of the hydrogen value chain. Secure your spot today 👉 https://lnkd.in/eg4jXZwn Read our recent blog from Deputy Director, Stephney Jary, Net Zero and Energy Security across the Western Gateway: https://lnkd.in/eJ5aR9Hh #Hydrogen #SustainableTransport #AlternativeFuel #GreenEnergy

Yesterday our Chair Sarah Williams-Gardener was in Llanwern at the former steelworks site speaking to ITV Wales Mike Griffiths about the £17bn opportunity that is the Western Gateway Rail Deal! Llanwern is poised to be the home of one of six new ‘Burns Stations’ between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel, creating up to 1.5m additional rail journeys a year. There are still some tickets left to hear more about our ambition to give 248,000 people more access to the rail network at the launch of the Western Gateway Rail Deal in Cardiff on 28 January 2025 - https://lnkd.in/eF8R2hFn For a sneak peak at what is to come, tune into tonight’s edition of ‘Sharp End’ on ITV1 Wales from 22.45! James Cooke Transport for Wales Network Rail Wales & Western region RIA Wales & Western Cardiff Capital Region Cardiff Council Newport City Council Monmouthshire County Council Mark Barry Great Western Railway (GWR) Hugh James 

With the increasing demand for electricity across the UK, tidal range energy presents an opportunity to explore as a potential contributor to the UK's future energy mix, with the Severn Estuary providing significant promise.   The Severn Estuary has the third highest tidal range in the world and the potential to provide 7% of the UK's energy needs. The Severn Estuary, an ecologically vital and economically significant region, faces substantial risks from climate change while also holding immense potential as a renewable energy source.   This week, the Severn Estuary Commission held two key events to explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding tidal range energy:   💷 Funding and Financing Roundtable Hosted at The Crown Estate, this session brought together stakeholders and experts to explore different financing methods and the requirements for investors if a tidal energy project is deemed viable. With potential lifespans of up to 120 years, there are important considerations for long-term funding and investment strategies, which were discussed in detail. Attendees provided valuable insights to shape the Commission's recommendations.   🌳 Environment Workshop Held at Cardiff Council, this workshop brought together a wide range of statutory environmental organisations and eNGOs. Building on previous consultations, the group strategically explored the current and future condition of the Severn Estuary and the potential impacts of tidal power. The session focused on identifying issues, developing solutions, and defining actionable next steps for collaborative, informed decision-making.   A huge thank you to all attendees for your thoughtful contributions and to The Crown Estate and Cardiff Council for providing the venues.   Visit the Severn Estuary Commission website for more information about the Commission and their work: https://lnkd.in/ekTvdSN5

The newly reformed Western Gateway All Party Parliamentary Group met earlier this week to discuss how MPs and Peers can support local businesses and leaders to attract investment and to improve connections across a national boarder. The reformed APPG group follows on from local MPs and peers sending an open letter in support of the Western Gateway to the UK Government, in response to a consultation on the future funding of Pan-Regional Partnerships, which closed on 16th of December. Over 100 businesses, local authorities and other organisations from across the Western Gateway area and beyond responded to the consultation, to express their support for our partnership. We were blown away by the number of positive responses to the consultation and expect the results of this over the next couple of months. Special thanks to our new APPG Co-Chairs, Catherine Fookes MP for Monmouthshire and Lord Davies of Gower who are continuing our work to help drive investment and support the unique cross border working of the Western Gateway! 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eUyJnTgb