(1–3) and
North Somerset (4), which together covered the former
County of Avon, in
South West England.|alt= The term has been used in the Bristol and
Bath area since at least the 18th century. The
Royal Bath and West of England Society was named the Bath and West of England Society in 1790. The
Royal West of England Academy received its present title in 1913. More recently the term has been used by organisations such as the West of England Partnership, Connexions West of England, and the West of England Sport Trust, as a synonym for the former
Avon area, which existed as a
local government unit between 1974 and 1996. Some aspects of transport planning and policy are coordinated using the Travelwest logo. The
West of England Combined Authority is a
combined authority for the area, originally intended to comprise the local authorities of the former county of Avon, including
Bristol,
South Gloucestershire,
Bath and North East Somerset and
North Somerset, but North Somerset declined to participate. The combined authority is led by a
Mayor, following the
first election in May 2017. The government's stated vision is to create a "Western Powerhouse" analogous to the government's
Northern Powerhouse concept. It is said that the proposal could bring nearly £1 billion of investment to the region. and by voluntary groups and clubs such as the West of England Bridge Club, all of which are based in or near Bristol. ==See also==