IN the lead-up to the recent demonstration by the Countryside Alliance, they listed the withdrawal of country bus services as one of their constantly reiterated complaints.

All I can say – as a regular user over the last couple of years and more – is that here in the Forest of Dean we have the services but, with the exception of those serving Gloucester, they are totally under-used.

As an example, there is an excellent service linking Lydney, Coleford and Monmouth every morning Monday to Saturday every week – it does extend into the afternoons but at less frequent intervals. I believe even this service has to be subsidised because most of the time it runs nearer empty than full and would be totally uneconomic without the subsidy.

I suspect a lot of people, including myself, find themselves in sympathy with a few of the aims of the Countryside Alliance but it is important that they get their facts right. In this area, for sure, there is a constant attempt to extend the range of public bus services, but if these buses run empty or near empty, what is the answer?

Perhaps the Alliance can tell us! – D.J. Powell, The Gorse, Coleford.