LYDNEY Dial-A-Ride is operating two new bus routes in the area.

Operated by Forest Community Transport, the name of the rural bus service operated by Dial-A-Ride, the services will link Monmouth to Cinderford, and Cinderford to Lydney. They will run from Monday to Friday.

Both routes will be served by a single service, the 35a will set off from Monmouth at 17.30, travelling to Cinderford via Coleford, Coalway, Broadwell, Five Acres, then taking in Lydbrook (Jovial Colliers), Ruardean and Drybrook, arriving in Cinderford Bus Station at 18.36.

The current published timetable for the 35a also lists it as taking in Christchurch and English Bicknor, although that road is currently closed due to a landslip.

The other service is the 23a, which runs from Cinderford at 18.45, via Elton Corner (18.57), then Newnham, Blakeney and arrives at Lydney at 19.18. This service was originally planned as a 'saviour' for passengers who could not travel on from Elton Corner to Lydney due to the withdrawal of the ongoing service by Stagecoach. However, the Stagecoach service has since been reinstated.

Louise Currie, Manager of Lydney Dial-A-Rise commented: "These new routes are all about helping to keep the local community moving. Our hope is that people will hop on these routes and use them to get home from work, visit friends, pop down to the shops or just to get out and about.

"These routes can be uses by everyone, young and old, Dial-A-Ride member or not. They operate just like any other bus route. You can use Forest Megarider tickets on the routes, and concessionary bus pass holders can travel for free."

The routes will be served by 16 seat minibuses.

More information and a detailed timetable are available at the Community Transport page on the Dial-ARise website: http://www.lydneydialaride.co.uk">www.lydneydialaride.co.uk.