Plans for new transport links in South Gloucestershire are gathering speed after new funding was announced.

The West of England Combined Authority (Weca), comprising Bristol city, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, agreed investments into a raft of projects at its committee meeting on Friday.

In total, Weca is spending up to £350million across public transport, skills and businesses between now and March 2023, with the aim of boosting the region’s economic growth.

This includes £4 million to design, plan and construct a Yate Park and Ride.

Put on the backburner in 2007, plans for the Park and Ride were recently resurrected and formed a key part of the Conservatives manifesto ahead of last month's local elections.

£3.5million has also been secured to develop a full business case for improvements to regional train services. This includes and extra service between Bristol Parkway and Yate, meaning trains will run every half-an-hour.

More funding has also been announced to explore the possibility of building a new railway station at Charfield.

Weca awarded an initial £300,000 in February for development work on a new rail station. Committee members have now approved a further £900,000 to complete a full business case.

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall, launched the Get South Gloucestershire Moving campaign in 2016 . He said: “With residents support we are now seeing a real renewed focus on this aspect of our positive plan. With backing at every level, we’re seeing results. I am determined to see our campaign through until we have a transport system that community expects and deserves.”

Tim Bowles, mayor of the West of England said: “Conservatives in our region at every level are working flat out to deliver for the region on transport.

"Working alongside each other we are pressing every part of Government to get that investment in place – and this funding for a Yate Park and Ride, and the 30 minute service from a new Charfield Station, and Yate is just the latest example of united and successful working”

Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, added: “Where many others have failed our communities on transport we are getting on and delivering as we promised.

"It is just not good enough to keep on ‘talking’ about much needed transport projects – we need to get on with it and this is what announcement does as we promised too.”