Residents in the Bristol area have expressed their overall support for a new £1bn West of England devolution deal.

A consultation has revealed a generally positive attitude towards the creation of a new West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) and the £1bn deal offered by Whitehall.

Out of 2,011 responses, 1,109 (55%) said that, on balance, they believe the MCA would benefit the West of England region.

674 (34%) said that they did not agree, and 176 (9%) said that they did not know. 52 respondents (2%) did not answer.

The consultation looked for feedback on four key areas, each dealt with in the Government’s devolution deal: decision making, place (transport and housing), people (adult education and skills), and business.

Bristol, along with Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, will now submit a joint consultation report to the secretary of state for communities and local government, Sajiid Javid MP.

If the Government approves, each council affected will then be asked to endorse the deal.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: ‘We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the public consultation and attended the public events. I am pleased that overall the public supported the deal.

‘This is another step in our journey towards a devolution deal, which could unlock a billion pounds of funding across crucial areas such as housing, transport and skills, and bring decision-making powers closer to local, meaning we can take more control of our own destiny here in Bristol.

‘Once we know if we have Government approval to move forward, I want to see plenty of opportunity for local people across the three authorities to really shape how this will work for us.’