COMMUNITY transport groups across the area are celebrating this week after hearing that they have secured £300,000 of Big Lottery funding, which has been awarded to the district's Community Transport Partnership.

The partnership, which includes the Forest of Dean District Council, Lydney Dial-a-Ride, Newent Dial-a-Ride, Bream Voluntary Car Service, Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, have been working together for some time to secure new funding, including the Big Lottery, with the aim of improving transport for the community.

The funding is to be earmarked for marketing the community transport available in the area, and to pay for a volunteer recruitment campaign, and initiatives to help 'hard to reach groups' within the community.

Forest of Dean District Council's transport champion, Cllr Clive Elsmore, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be awarded this funding. The application was submitted by the council on behalf of the partnership following consultation with residents about community transport."

He added: "The over-rising message for us from the consultation was that the majority of people didn't know or understand community transport - what it is, how to access it, and even if they could use it."

Manager of Lydney Dial-a-Ride, Louise Currie, said: This is fantastic news as we have been working on this project for a number of years. It demonstrates how different organisations working together can achieve positive results that will enable the local community to benefit from a robust commmunity transport network.

"Additionally it allows the local Community Transport providers to access the expertise of a marketing co-ordinator and work with those who are unaware that they can currently use our services."

The funding to complete the bid to the Big Lottery was provided by the Forest of Dean Partnership.