transport
Travel to work in the Greater West of England: Distance travelled and mode of transport, 2021
This data insight describes the distance travelled to work and the mode of transport used by workers in the Greater West of England in 2021. The Greater West of England is defined here as Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.
The data draw from the 2021 Census. The Census was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the number of people working from home. Because of this, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) advise taking caution when interpreting the data.
34.6%
Percentage of workers who work mainly at or from home, 2021
23.9%
Percentage of workers in Wiltshire who commute 10km or more, 2021
8%
Percentage of workers in Bristol who commute 10km or more, 2021
45.2%
Percentage of workers in the Greater West of England who drive a car or van to work, 2021
Travel to work by mode, 2011 and 2021
This visualisation shows the distribution of travel to work by mode for workers resident in the Greater West of England in 2011 and 2021. The proportion of workers mainly working at or from home was higher in 2021 (34.6%) than in 2011 (6.0%). Driving a car or van remained the most common mode of travel to work in 2021 (45.2%), although this was lower than in 2011 (62.3%). Across other modes, including public transport, walking and cycling, the proportion of workers in 2021 was lower than in 2011.
Travel to work by local authority, 2021
This visualisation shows the distribution of travel to work by mode across local authorities in the Greater West of England in 2021. In all local authority areas, at least 30% of workers mainly worked at or from home. The highest proportions were in Bristol (38.6%) and Bath and North East Somerset (38.5%).
Bristol had higher proportions of workers travelling by bus, on foot and by bicycle than other local authorities, and a lower proportion of workers driving a car or van. In all local authorities, fewer than 1% of workers travelled by train. In local authorities other than Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset, more than 45% of workers drove a car or van.
Distance travelled to work, Greater West of England, 2011 and 2021
This visualisation shows the percentage of workers by distance travelled to work in the Greater West of England in 2011 and 2021. The proportion of workers mainly working at or from home was higher in 2021 (34.6%) than in 2011 (11.2%). Across all other distance bands, the proportion of workers in 2021 was lower than in 2011.
Distance travelled to work by local authority, 2021
This visualisation shows the percentage of workers by distance travelled to work across local authorities in the Greater West of England in 2021. Higher proportions of workers travelled short distances of under 5 kilometres in Bristol and Swindon compared with other local authorities. In contrast, higher proportions of workers in Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and Wiltshire travelled between 10 and 20 kilometres.
Distance travelled to work, % of workers, national comparisons, 2021
This visualisation shows the percentage of workers by distance travelled to work in 2021 for the Greater West of England, England and England excluding London. The proportion of workers mainly working at or from home was higher in the Greater West of England (34.6%) than in England (31.5%). Across distance bands between 2 and 30 kilometres, the proportion of workers in the Greater West of England was lower than in England.
