The scene of one of the Liberal Democrats’ most unexpected victories in 1997, This seat runs from the Severn Bridge in the west to Badminton in the east. It takes in towns like Thorbury, Bradley Stoke, Yate and Chipping Sodbury. It also includes more than 50 other villages. The seat's position is at a key crossover point in Britain's motorway network with direct links to London, the West Midlands, South Wales and the West Country. This, coupled with its proximity to the city of Bristol has brought extensive residential and commercial development.
A large proportion of the electorate lives in the growing residential areas which are dominated by modern, affordable private housing and young families. Bradley Stoke, Europe's largest privately funded residential development, is partly in the Northavon constituency and partly in Bristol North West near the M4/M5 junction. It contains 8,500 households and a whole range of community facilities.