A £2 million investment could signal the end of the road for a major source of frustration for bus users in the Forest.

Stagecoach West has 10 new buses for routes from the Forest and Ross into Gloucester and the company proudly showed off one of them at Beechenhurst last week.

Company boss Ian Manning said the company "had not been blind" to criticisms about the reliability of its buses travelling from Coleford and Cinderford.

He said: "If there are problems in the Forest it takes us longer to get a replacement from our bases in Gloucester or Ross."

He said it had been difficult to justify the investment on purely economic grounds and the decision to go ahead was "a bold initiative."

Mr Manning, the managing director of Stagecoach West added: "The introduction of 10 new, low-floor double decker buses is one of the biggest investments recently in public transport in these areas.

"We believe that this enhancement will deliver a much-needed boost for bus provision in the Forest of Dean and Ross-on-Wye while playing a vital role in sustaining the environment."

Mr Manning said the Forest had been spared a rise in fares that has taken place in other parts of Gloucestershire but that the cost of a ticket would increase later in the summer.

The investment was welcomed by Forest bus campaigner Sue Dubois – who was invited to the launch at Beechenhurst – and local MP Mark Harper.

Ms Dubois said: "This is a very good day for the Forest. The buses are fantastic – they are very comfortable and will be more reliable and will reduce emissions."

Mr Harper said: A number of Foresters use Stagecoach buses to commute to work, either elsewhere in the Forest or in Gloucester, Ross or further afield.

"I know that people have had issues with the existing buses, both due to breakdowns and cancellations, and I hope that these new buses will help make these issues a thing of the past.

"The announcement of a fare freeze is also very welcome, and helps keep costs down for commuters around the Forest."