Enterprise Avonmouth and Severnside
Large-scale industrial, warehousing, distribution, energy and waste processing
A globally significant enterprise area. Its accessible location and high-quality facilities appeal to regional, national and international industrial businesses.
Location
The Avonmouth Severnside area straddles the local authority areas of Bristol and South Gloucestershire (Avonmouth is Bristol, Severnside is South Gloucestershire).
Covering some 1,800 hectares (almost 4,500 acres) of land along the River Severn estuary and incorporating Avonmouth & Portbury Docks.
The benefits of this location include:
- Bristol Airport is a 30-minute drive away
- the area is adjacent to the M4 and M5 major motorway networks
- the new M49 junction is currently being built to improve access to the area
- greater connectivity across the region is being supported by MetroWest and Mass Transit. The early stages of these projects will improve transport services between Bristol Temple Meads train station and Severn Beach
Employment sectors
The 3 largest employment sectors in Severnside are:
- transport and storage
- wholesale
- manufacturing
These reflect the area’s attractiveness for large-scale industrial, warehousing, distribution, energy and waste processing uses, in addition to the activities of the port and its storage and distribution facilities and associated industries.
Key facts
- 85% of the UK live within a 4.5-hour HGV journey
- 45 million people live within a 300-kilometre radius
- suitable for warehousing, distribution, industrial and environmental technologies
- of the 1,800 hectare area, approximately 650 hectares of which is in South Gloucestershire, a large proportion has planning consent that could enable rapid development – primarily for distribution and industrial uses
- features the UK’s most centrally located deep sea port
- 17 kilometres of flood defences built along the coastline to future proof the area
The Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project
Working in partnership with Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency, this project delivers 17 kilometres of improved flood defences from Lamplighter’s Marsh to Aust, and 120 hectares of newly created wetland habitat at Aust Wetlands and Hallen Marsh.
It reduces flood risk for around 2,500 homes and businesses and helps protect future development in the Enterprise Area.
The wetlands provide replacement habitat for land lost to development. They support wetland birds from the Severn Estuary and other wildlife, including water voles and newts.
The project has also improved walking routes, making it easier to access and enjoy the area.
Main construction was completed in June 2025 by BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald (BMMjv). We are working on a further 1km of defences along the Severn Beach rail line that will be delivered in partnership with Network Rail in 2029/30.
Funding came from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (via the West of England Combined Authority), Flood Defence Grant in Aid (Defra), the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, and Section 106 contributions.