The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has become the newest Principal Member of the Urban Transport Group (UTG), the UK’s network of transport authorities.

The organisation, which is led by newly elected Mayor Helen Godwin (pictured), has been a member of UTG since it was formed.

UTG now has nine Principal Members - the highest tier of membership - in the biggest city regions in England (London, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North East, East Midlands and the West of England). It has six other Members spread across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

As a Principal Member, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will have an officer representative on the UTG Board, which is made up of nine Directors: one from each of its Principal Members.

Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:

“I was elected on a promise to get the West of England moving, with better buses and more train stations. Working with other regions is important, learning from what they have already achieved and then investing to help people across our part of the West Country see a real difference in our transport network.

“Taking this step up on the Urban Transport Group will contribute to the giant leap forward that the West needs and deserves on transport to catch up with other city regions.”

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

“The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has been a valued member of the Urban Transport Group for many years. I am pleased that by becoming a Principal Member, it can be more closely aligned with the work of our network and our governance. This move reflects the organisation’s expanding ambitions on the role of public transport and active travel options in the West of England region.”

Background

Local councils in the West of England were members of UTG prior to the establishment of the combined authority in 2017. With partners, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has opened two new railway stations since 2023, with plans for five more by 2027/28. It recently secured further funding for zero-emission buses in the region, alongside operator investment, that will see almost half of First Bus’ fleet go electric next year.

UTG’s mission is to help its members to create transport networks which are sustainably funded and affordable, deliver social value, are green and resilient, and are trusted. UTG members cover the largest urban areas in the UK. Together, they serve over 30 million people across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.