Cornwall, Devon and Somerset could get safer roads, more train services and improved access to local jobs under major transport plans.
The Peninsula Transport sub-national transport body, which unites councillors from the three counties, has identified key priorities to stimulate investment and economic growth in the South West.
The body has unveiled its strategic implementation plan (SIP), detailing major transport schemes that could enhance journey times across the West Country and create new job opportunities.
A similar strategy has been published by the neighbouring Western Gateway board, which includes upgrades to rail services first hinted at in January.
The SIP highlights a number of short-term projects that could be delivered in within the next two years, including improved coach services from Torbay to Exeter and Bristol, and two new stations at Wellington and Cullompton on the Bristol to Exeter line.
The future of the Wellington and Cullompton stations project is expected to be announced in the coming days. Chancellor Rachel Reeves made no direct mention of either site in her Spending Review statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday (June 11).
The government declared in May that it would not provide the £137,000 requested by WSR and Somerset Council to develop a detailed business case for reconnecting Taunton and Bishop's Lydeard, reports .
The Department for Transport (DfT) has committed to ongoing discussions with local authorities to explore potential improvements at the community level.
Alongside two key initiatives, the SIP identifies medium-term projects that could come to fruition within five years and longer-term plans with a timeframe of five to 10 years.
Plans are in place to revise Somerset's road infrastructure, particularly focusing on the A38 corridor stretching from Highbridge to Bristol Airport; this initiative is presently under government review.
Councillor Mark Coker, chair of Peninsula Transport and Plymouth City Council's cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: "We are delighted to present the first SIP for Peninsula Transport. A vast amount of progress has been made since our inception in 2018.
"We are proud to represent our member local authorities with a single voice and are pleased to present these regional priorities for investment in strategic transport in the south west peninsula.
"We look forward to working with our partners the Department for Transport (DfT), National Highways and Network Rail to bring forward the delivery of these priorities over the next 25 years."
The Western Gateway board, serving regions including Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole), Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Wiltshire, has outlined several schemes in its SIP that are set to bolster transport in the forthcoming years, on top of the existing plans for the Heart of Wessex passing loop and step-free access at train stations.
Councillor Hannah Young, SIP project executive, added: "This ambitious document provides partners with a roadmap to create a more connected, sustainable and cost-effective transport network.
"These projects have been chosen because they support the region's economic growth and align with local authorities' housing targets.
"While we're excited to see these projects progress, we remain focused on supporting local authorities with all their transport initiatives, ensuring enhanced connectivity across our region."
