Cross-border Western Gateway will form new UK economic powerhouse

The Western Gateway is a new strategic partnership aiming to promote and maximise economic growth across south Wales and the west of England.

Its objective is to create jobs, boost prosperity and support universities and businesses across the region.

Linking towns and cities either side of the River Severn, the Western Gateway will mirror the successful work of the more established Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine and will seek to ensure that the region is globally competitive.

Supporters say that the Western Gateway has the potential to transform

What is so special about the South West? The region already leads in aerospace. “Perhaps we could also become the country’s leading region in tackling the climate crisis,” added Phil.

“We have seen Stroud’s green revolution and its ambition to be the UK’s first carbon zero town, and we at Business West are aiming to be carbon neutral for all our UK-based operations by the end of the year. We would be the first UK Chamber of Commerce to achieve this.

“We know that skills are important, and that productivity is very important too and our businesses and Local Enterprise Partnerships – with their local Industrial Strategies – are working on those.

“But a region-wide ambition to be at the cutting edge in tackling the global environmental agenda ought to attract more government patronage.

“This should give us a clear regional unique selling point.” the economic prospects of the region. The government is providing £400,000 to kick-start the partnership and Katherine Bennett, Senior Vice President of Airbus, is the Western Gateway’s acting chair. She will lead and shape the governance, management and initial priorities for the partnership.