An effective transport infrastructure is essential to the continued economic prosperity of the South West of England.  
 
SWARMMS (South West Area Multi Modal Study), published in May 2002, sets out recommendations to improve transport between the region and London, and through main corridors in the South West. The Study will form the basis of a regional transport strategy being developed by the Regional Assembly. 
 
The SWARMMS study was commissioned by Government as part of its ten-year transport plan that sets out long term infrastructure improvements for the UK. The Multi-modal approach meant that the study took an integrated approach and considered all forms of infrastructure and transport including road and rail together.