A £3 billion package of transport schemes aimed at cutting peak-time jams in the West have been submitted to the government for funding.

They include three long-awaited "rapid transit systems" which have been earmarked to tackle soaring congestion in Bath, Bristol and Swindon.

A bid to redouble the single railway track on a key West route between Swindon and Kemble, which has been the subject of a major recent campaign, is also included.

Costing a total of £2.8bn, all the projects are contained within a proposed package for the South West which has been nominated for funding by the regional assembly.

Regional planners forwarded the projects, which they want completed by 2019, after the government asked which should be prioritised against the money available.

Following a series of local consultations the projects adjudged the most important have now been submitted to Regional Minister Ben Bradshaw.

A decision on whether or not to accept the assembly's recommendations is expected from the government by the summer.

The regional body wants some of the schemes to be funded between now and 2014, including the controversial Bath rapid transit route from the Newbridge park and ride site.

Such schemes involve creating special lanes for high-frequency buses, which are given preference at traffic signals.

Councillors insist the Bath scheme will be key to unlocking congestion. But an opposition group of campaigners claim it will have little impact.

A similar scheme proposed for Bristol, linking Ashton Vale with Temple Meads, is also proposed for funding over the next five years.

As is a £36.6 million contribution to a £42 million project to install a double railway track on a 12-mile route between Swindon and Kemble.

There was outcry in October when it was not included in a programme of national railway projects to be completed between 2009 and 2014.

But now it is back on track following a campaign involving Gloucestershire MPs Martin Horwood, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and David Drew.

Priority transport schemes for the five years to 2019 also include £33 million to upgrade the Portishead rail line and £12.5m for the Bristol Metro rail project.

The package also contains an upgrade for the A358 at Taunton, connecting the A303 to the M5 and providing a second strategic road route to the South West.