A leading property figure says he is sceptical that a vision to create a west of Britain economic powerhouse, through greater collaboration between the West of England and South Wales, will be realised.

While supportive of the concept, aimed at rivalling the emerging Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, head of international property firm Colliers for the South West of England and Wales, Tim Davies, doubts the required cross-border co-operation will emerge.

The proposed Great Western Powerhouse region takes in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport in South Wales and Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham in the West of England.

The area has a combined economy worth £107 billion, with a gross value added per person that is higher than that of the North of England.

A recent report commissioned by the Great Western Cities partnership of Bristol City Council, Cardiff Council and Newport City Council, has outlined a series of recommendation for greater cross border collaboration to rival the Northern Powerhouse and the emerging Midlands Engine.

The report, compiled by Metro Dynamics, provides an evidence base for a cross-border partnership, with recommendations to improve infrastructure, investment, internationalisation and inclusive growth across an areas of: seven cities; 4.4 million people; 10 universities and 156,000 businesses.

It sets out five key areas of collaboration in:

An industrial strategy linking sector strengths.

Integrating road and rail improvements to enable faster connectivity.

An internationalisation strategy which promotes the region’s industrial strengths.

Establishing a productivity and innovation observatory which makes better use of our data.

Piloting and measuring tailored approaches to connecting the most deprived communities with the region’s highest growth sectors.

It would also cover outside of Cardiff and Newport, the other eight local authority areas in the Cardiff City Region, that include Merthyr and Monmouthshire.

To support the venture the Great Western City partners have already been joined by Bath and North East Somerset Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Swansea Council and Swindon Borough Council.

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However, Mr Davies said: “The aim of the concept is to leverage central government funding to develop, amongst other initiatives, infrastructure improvements that boost the regional economy.

"In principle the idea is laudable, but I am sceptical that authorities from different sides of the Severn bridges will co-operate to drive this idea to fruition.

“The mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees is promoting the scheme and his track record for achieving meaningful progress is questionable.

"What is clear is that any goals that are set need to be properly thought through and above all deliverable - otherwise this initiative will fall by the wayside.

“Looking ahead it is vital that key local stakeholders are encouraged to participate; their experience will be vital in driving this initiative forward.”

In response Mr Rees said, said: “Many businesses in Bristol are working with us on our strong record of delivery. We welcome this business support for the principle of a powerhouse in the west, and we are continuing to work together across borders and sectors to make the most of the opportunities ahead of us.

"With encouraging early support from ministers and businesses we are confident of achieving our aims and accelerating our inclusive, clean and sustainable economic growth for the west of Britain.”

Any closer ties would need to be underpinned by at least four trains an hours, currently two, between south Wales and Bristol’s Temple Meads Station. It would also have to respect the devolved nature of government in Wales and the growing mayoral powers across the border.

However, there are already signs of growing collaboration, particular in the higher education sector with combined bids to secure research council and Innovate UK funding.

Leader of Newport Council, Debra Wilcox said: “The opportunities that a powerhouse could capitalise and enrich are vast. The region already has an economy worth £107bn, which is 10% higher than the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, yet our growth is slower than average.

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"If we only grow to meet the UK average, we will become a £1.21bn economy – just think of the potential if this powerhouse was created.”

Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council said: “This is just the start of the conversation and our next step will be to set up a leadership vehicle to shape this initiative and drive it forward."