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South Gloucestershire

With an estimated 30,000 jobs being generated between 1996 and 2006, South Gloucestershire has one of the fastest growing economies in the South West of England and is one of the area's most thriving commercial and industrial centres. Over the past five years, unemployment levels have remained relatively constant at 1.1% in contrast to a British average of 2.6%.

The economy of South Gloucestershire has always been closely associated with the aerospace industry with Airbus UK based in Filton and Rolls Royce in Patchway. Major projects include the design and manufacture of wings for Airbus, including the wings of the new A380 Super jumbo, and the design and manufacture of military jet engines.

Other key sectors in the area include electronics, engineering, packaging, health, retailing, telecommunications, and higher education with the Frenchay campus of the University of the West of England. The public sector is also well represented following the relocation of the Defence Procurement Agency to Abbey Wood in the late 1990s, which brought over 6,000 jobs to the area.

The development of the regional shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway, the relocation of major companies like AXA and Royal Mail, excellent rail and road links, including the M4/M5 motorway interchange and Bristol Parkway railway station, and large scale business park developments have established the North Fringe as one of the largest employment areas in the South West. Major developments are also planned for the future, including the proposed Bristol and Bath Science Park that will be located close to the Avon Ring Road at Emersons Green.

South Gloucestershire is also a popular tourist destination and an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since it borders the Severn Estuary with its two spectacular bridges and encompasses the Vale of Severn and the edge of the Cotswolds. The area boasts many attractions including stunning countryside, major footpaths and cycleways, picturesque market and historic towns, and high quality golf courses.