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Scrapping the Severn Bridge toll should be just the beginning


The idea of creating a ‘Western Powerhouse’ to rival the Northern Powerhouse has long been floated. In a new era of devolution, there is now greater


scope than ever for the West to start working more closely together. But why stop at a Western England Powerhouse


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FRONT COVER The Second Severn Crossing


when there could be the Western Britain Powerhouse? That was the message at the Severn Growth Summit which happened recently. Taking place just after the scrapping of the Severn


Bridge toll – it was seen as a new dawn for economic ties between the West of England and South Wales. Yet, while scrapping the toll removes one of the


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main psychological barriers that separates the West of England from South Wales, our economies are not as complimentary or as interconnected as they could (or perhaps should) be. For inspiration and a model of connecting two successful economies across borders and across waters, we need look no further than Oresund. Oresund is an historic region, which spans the straits between Denmark and Sweden. It connects Copenhagen and Zealand in Denmark to the West with Malmo and the Skane region in Sweden to the East. In 1993 a political and economic union, the Oresund Committee, was formed to drive forward infrastructure, labour market, culture and place marketing initiatives in the region on a cross party basis. But what can business leaders and decision makers in the West of England and South Wales


‘Why stop at a Western England Powerhouse when there could be a Western Britain Powerhouse?’


learn from Oresund? Well, if the figures are anything to go by, better transport connectivity is key. According to Oresund Committee figures, the bridge has made a national economic gain of €8.41bn. What’s clear from these numbers is that businesses on both sides of the Anglo- Welsh border are missing out on the sorts of opportunities enjoyed by Oresund. And all because of poor connectivity. This is not good for growth and more needs to be done. Electrification of the Severn Tunnel was meant to bring our regions closer together, but


we’re still in the dark as to when it will reach Bristol. Bristol Airport enjoyed a record year in 2017 and is expanding, but public transportation


links with Wales remain poor. Our hope is that with a renewed impetus a plan for cross-border inter-regional development will emerge. On this side of the border the region is making strides in terms of its growth agenda with


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Marvin Rees and Tim Bowles at the helm, whereas the Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, seems the right man for the job, having held the economic development brief in the Welsh Assembly before his election to Parliament. So, in summary, while scrapping the tolls is welcome, like Oresund, we need to think bigger


and bolder around transport connectivity if we are to punch above our weight and secure private investment and that which is needed from Westminster.


PHIL SMITH MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS WEST


MARCH/APRIL 2018 insight 3


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