PLANS to improve access for Forest commuters using major gateways outside the area will be addressed by a task group.

Gloucestershire County Council has set-up the group after Cllr Patrick Molyneux successfully passed a motion at an overview and scrutiny management committee last month.

Cllr Molyneux (Con, Tidenham) said: "I am passionate about making it easier for people, visitors and businesses to get to, from, and around the Forest of Dean.

"The task group will be talking to Network Rail, district and parish councils, the National Assembly for Wales and Monmouthshire Council along with many other groups to identify how we can tackle some of the transport issues we face."

It has been recognised by environment and communities scrutiny that access is limited to two main road links and a single rail link from Lydney to Gloucester. Increased congestion on the A40 and the A48 can impact on the how desirable the Forest of Dean district is as a place to live, work and play. Congestion can also have an impact on businesses and tourism opportunities for the area.

It is hoped that he task group will make recommendations to county council's cabinet in December 2015.

Cllr Brian Oosthuysen, chair of the overview and scrutiny management committee, added: "The task group has been set up to help better understand the traffic issues affecting access to and from the Forest of Dean and the impact on the local economy. The group will make recommendations on future ways of addressing these issues."