A PETITION urging the Government to re-open a railway halt at Newnham has been sent to Forest MP Diana Organ.

Over 200 people signed the petition in just six days, said Georgina Keddle, of High Street, Newnham.

Mrs Keddle organised the petition in response to the growing frustration felt by hundreds of motorists who find themselves caught up in the traffic queues created by commuters travelling into Gloucester.

At their peak the queues stretch back to Minsterworth – and brought a plea last week for motorists to avoid attempting to beat them by taking a short-cut through Church Lane.

Mrs Keddle said money to re-open stations had been set aside by the Government as part its 10 year transport plan.

She explained that most of those who had signed the petition lived in Newnham where there was widespread support for a station.

However there were reservations because the access to the former railway station site was unsatisfactory.

But, said Mrs Keddle, there was an alternative site with ample car-parking available on nearby land owned by the county council which was now on the market.