On a regional level the port acts as a gateway to South West England, the entry point for international freight traffic.

The study confirms that Bristol is the fastest growing non-ferry port in the UK. The volume of cargo through the port has more than doubled in the last ten years with traffic rising by 6.3 per cent per year between 1990 and 2002, well above the national traffic growth rate of 1.1 per cent.

The study also looks in detail at the main constraints to further growth of the port. One of the major concerns is the lack of expansion land for storage and distribution activities as the last land allocation for the port was in the early 1970s.

Speaking about the reason for funding the report, Ian Thompson, South West RDA head of operations said: 'Historically the port has played an important role in Bristol's development and the economic fortunes of the city have been inextricably linked to its port for at least 1,000 years.

The findings of this study will allow the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) and other partners to understand the future economic impact of the port and identify barriers to growth which we will need to overcome so that the port can continue to make its important contribution to the local and regional economies.'

Ben Hamilton-Baillie of Business West and the West of England Strategic Partnership (WESP) added: 'Bristol Port is a vital part of the transport infrastructure in the West of England. The continued prosperity of the port is essential to the economy of the sub region and following the report we will be looking at ways we can help the port to further expand.'