I would like to thank Paul Mear, of Chepstow, for adding to my previous comments. My view is that he has correctly highlighted the problems with connecting trains when travelling through Severn Tunnel Junction to Bristol and beyond. 

Interestingly, I sometimes experience similar problems when returning from London via Gloucester. If the London train is running later it  can result in  me waiting at least an hour or two when there is a gap in the timetable for a train to Lydney.

 I would like to know how Mark Harper MP and  Cllr David Cooksley intend to take forward the preliminary meeting they had with chiefs from Network Rail and Arriva Trains on August 19. In particular, it would be helpful to know if there were any actions on those who attended the meeting and the timescales for resolving them.

It would be very helpful if someone who attended the meeting could publish some details of the outcome. This would then help those of us who make use of the trains on a daily basis to have a clear understanding of the progress that is being made to improve the service along the Cheltenham to Cardiff route and the facilities at Lydney station.

I look forward to hearing more about the meeting that the chair of STAG is proposing for November to discuss a united front (Gloucestershire/ Monmouthshire) in the challenge to achieve an improved rail service for the Cheltenham to Cardiff route.

All the extra homes being built will not help the congestion on our roads which leaves the train service as a viable alternative for travelling to work.  I would encourage anyone to take the opportunity to add their comments to the letters previously published on the train services.

– Bob Garside, Lydney.