FIVE major transport schemes for Greater Bristol could help bring 60,000 new jobs to the area, it has been claimed.

The Department for Transport gave the go-ahead for the £102 million Hengrove to north fringe route last week, having already approved the £50 million Ashton Vale to Temple Meads route and the £45 million South Bristol Link.

On top of that the government has also backed transport improvements for Weston-super-Mare and Bath worth around £50 million between them.

Businesses and politicians across the Bristol area have welcomed the decisions. Chief executive of Bristol Airport and transport lead for the Local Enterprise Partnership Robert Sinclair believes the five schemes will lead to a huge number of jobs for the area.

Mr Sinclair said: "The three rapid transit schemes form a network which will bring a step change in new public transport provision to the greater Bristol area.

"The network serves the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone supporting the creation of 17,000 new jobs, the South Bristol employment area supporting 10,000 new jobs and the Science Park – including the National Composite Centre – and Filton/A38 enterprise areas supporting 13,000 new jobs.

"The Weston package is key to the Weston-super-Mare Gateway Enterprise Area that will bring 11,000 new jobs to the area.

"The Bath transportation package supports the 9,000 new jobs expected as part of the Bath City Riverside Area that has an expected GVA of £11 billion over a 30-year period."

Business West has also welcomed the news.

Managing director Phil Smith said: "We are delighted that these remaining three schemes have been approved. This demonstrates the government's confidence in our area, the work of our LEP and the long-standing successful partnership working between our four unitary authorities and business."

Local MPs Jack Lopresti and Chris Skidmore campaigned to secure funding for the north fringe rapid transit scheme and were pleased with this week's announcement.

In a joint statement they said: "The scheme will give a boost to the local economy by providing fast, frequent and reliable public transport service linking the areas of Cribbs Causeway, Aztec West and Emersons Green with Bristol city centre and with Hengrove to the south of the city.

"The scheme has so many benefits for our local area.

"It will also promote equality of opportunities through improved connectivity to education, employment, leisure, health and retail facilities."

And chair of the West of England Partnership's transport committee, Councillor Brian Allinson said it was "exceptionally good news".

He said: "Securing this significant investment in the West's transport system is further recognition of the importance central government places on this region and the scheme will lead to more jobs being created and improved links made with communities in the north and east fringe when work starts on the scheme in two years' time."