The West of England is a loose term given to the area surrounding the City and County of Bristol, England.
It is increasingly used - e.g. by the West of England Partnership - as a synonym for the former Avon (county) area. According to the West of England Partnership website,
"The West of England is a prosperous area with an excellent quality of life and a growing national and international profile. However, rapid growth means that the sub-region faces increasing pressure on its infrastructure, and it is still the case that there are too many neighbourhoods that do not share in its prosperity. The West of England Partnership was formed in response to these opportunities and challenges. It consists of four unitary authorities - Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire - and a range of social, economic and environmental partners. The Partnership is driving forward action to sustain prosperity and quality of life and to enhance the confidence of public and private investors. Particular attention is being given to transport, appropriate housing supply, economic competitiveness and inclusion, and culture, leisure and tourism."
The term "West of England" is also often used more widely to include the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire and, possibly, Dorset. These counties also form part of the South West of England, which additionally includes Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
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