The Government Office for the South West (GOSW) commissioned Atkins to undertake a Strategic Transport Study to address the current and future transport needs within the Greater Bristol area over the next 30 years. This study followed on from the South West Area Multi Modal Transport Study (SWARMMS) and was jointly funded by the Department for Transport, South West of England Regional Development Agency, Highways Agency and the four unitary authorities (Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset).  
 
The study recommended a range of practical measures aimed at addressing transport problems and realising Greater Bristol's potential for economic growth.  
 
The Greater Bristol Strategic Transport study reported in May 2006, and the recommendations will have a major impact upon the future shape of transport in the wider Bristol area. The West of England authorities used the findings of the study to prepare a Joint Local Transport Plan (2006-2011) for the West of England area and agree on a number of Major Scheme Bid proposals to develop and submit to the Department for Transport . The four authorities are working together to develop the technical work to progress these improvements, co-ordinated by the West of England Partnership Office Transport Team, in order to bring forward proposals through the Regional Funding Allocation. The first tranche of these proposals, the Greater Bristol Bus Network and The Bath Package, have already received Programme Entry and are now progressing to full approval and implementation. In addition, a long term transport vision for the West of England has recently been developed, which forms the West of England's response to the Government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) to provide major investment in transport systems. This includes a proposal for congestion charging alongside further transport infrastructure improvements, developed using £1.5million of TIF money secured from DfT for scheme development. A business case for the improvements could be submitted to DfT in early 2008, following which - if successful - there will be extensive community and stakeholder consultation. 
 
Further information on the schemes currently being developed as well as the long term vision for transport can be found on the West of England website www.westofengland.org