The South West is at a pivotal moment in shaping its infrastructure future, with public sentiment reflecting both optimism and frustration. Recent consultations and polls reveal a region eager for sustainable infrastructure development, but sceptical about delivery. Key themes – support for renewable energy, demand for inclusive investment, and the need for community-driven solutions – highlight the public’s priorities and the challenges facing industry leaders and bodies such as SWIP.
High support, but high expectations
In December 2024, a striking 60% of South West residents expressed strong support for renewable energy technologies, making the region the UK’s most enthusiastic advocate for green energy. However, this enthusiasm comes with an expectation of transparency.
A February 2025 poll by the Institution of Civil Engineers found 62% of the public are frustrated by inadequate communication on infrastructure decisions tied to net zero. This underscores the need to bridge the gap between public support and tangible outcomes through clear delivery.
Recent consultations, such as the Western Gateway Strategic Investment Plan (December 2024–February 2025) and the Dorset and BCP Joint Transport Plan (launched March 2025), reveal a public eager to engage but wary of unfulfilled promises.
The Western Gateway’s 38 proposed transport priorities sparked robust feedback, with residents prioritising rural connectivity, modal integration (e.g. seamless rail-to-bus transitions), and reduced car dependency to meet decarbonisation goals.
Similarly, the Dorset and BCP plan highlighted affordability, accessibility, and active travel (walking, cycling, and wheeling) as key concerns, particularly for rural and lower-income communities.
Despite this engagement, scepticism persists. Residents cited a lack of visible progress from past plans, with many feeling that consultations are more performative than impactful. This frustration signals a critical need for industry leaders to deliver measurable results and communicate them effectively, perhaps through case studies showcasing real-world successes, as suggested in consultation feedback.
A need for inclusion
Several themes have emerged from public feedback.
First, the current transport system is not seen as inclusive, particularly for vulnerable groups. Rural disconnection exacerbates social isolation, limiting access to education, employment, and connection, with mental health concerns frequently raised.
Second, there is a clear infrastructure gap between urban and rural areas, increasing perceptions of regional inequality. Residents in less-connected areas feel left behind, with affordability issues further compounding exclusion.
Third, there is growing demand for active and integrated transport systems. The public supports healthier, sustainable options like cycling and rail but expects seamless connectivity across modes. While this appetite for change is encouraging, we must bear in mind that behavioural shifts depend on viable alternatives.
We must also remember that the next generation of public transport and active travel projects will draw on ideas taken from across the globe and emerging technologies that may be entirely unfamiliar to local people. In asking them to get involved in consultations, we are asking them to take a leap of imagination.
As one consultation response noted, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’ Without understanding how proposed improvements will work and their spatial context, they can’t understand what it might mean for them. Major projects therefore have a duty to help participants visualise proposed projects to ensure meaningful consultation and the delivery of infrastructure that meets the need of those it is designed to serve.
Three steps to success
Looking ahead, three trends stand out.
First, the South West’s leadership in renewable energy support could position it as a model for community-driven net zero initiatives, provided transparency improves.
Second, the push for just investment will intensify, with rural communities demanding infrastructure that addresses their needs. This is of particular importance in the South West, which despite its urban hubs has vast rural areas.
Finally, the success of active and integrated transport systems will hinge on the ability of regional leaders to deliver and communicate results, overcoming public scepticism rooted in past failures.
The South West public is ready for transformative infrastructure but demands inclusion, equity, and accountability. South West leaders can leverage this willingness to change by prioritising rural connectivity, integrating transport modes, and showcasing successes to rebuild trust. As the region navigates its infrastructure future, aligning projects with community values will be key to turning enthusiasm into lasting progress.