The four local authorities around Bristol (Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council) are in the process of assessing the local population’s housing and commuting needs.
These councils, grouping themselves as the West of England Authorities, are preparing a Joint Spatial Plan to assess future housing requirements, and a Joint Transport Study to develop ways of enhancing commuter options. You can find out more here.
The West of England AHSN contributed to the Joint Transport Consultation following assessment of the consultation documents. We support the encouragement of the move away from single car occupancy commuting, where possible. However our consultation response noted that there was no reference to the positive benefits on the health outcomes of the population if people move to a more active form of commuting to/from work. In turn this will benefit the local economy as a whole.
The initial consultation period has now closed while the councils assess the responses. The West of England AHSN will contribute to the next stage of the consultation process later this year and invites members living and working in the areas concerned to encourage the councils to keep health high on the agenda in commuting discussions.
Posted on February 27, 2016
