A NEW circular bus route is to be created around the Forest area, amalgamating four existing routes into one, to provide a ‘community bus service’ at evenings and on Sundays.

Following a lengthy consultation with bus users in the area, Gloucestershire County Council has announced new changes to its subsidies for passenger routes – the result of which is minor alterations to the existing timetables, and the introduction of the new circular service.

The new route would run from Gloucester, to Newnham, Lydney, Coleford, and Mitcheldean, then return to Gloucester. A matching service would run the same route in reverse. The total distance of the route is around 50 miles, and it has been estimated the total trip would take an hour and a half to complete.

The route is a merger of four existing buses, services 23, 24, 30 and 31.

More than 3,200 responses to the recent bus survey were received by the council, with 465 people responding specifically about the merger of these services to form a circular route on evenings and Sundays.

The standard daytime service, running from Monday to Saturday, would continue to be provided by Stagecoach, but without subsidy from the council.

Cllr Alan Preest (UKIP, Lydney), who has campaigned about the buses in the district, said: “After much lobbying, the “non-peak” circular service has the potential to offer, particularly to those who live between Coleford and Lydney, a more flexible and assured service.

“This will be invaluable to those, for instance, who have to make hospital visits to Gloucester Royal Hospital.

He added: “In times of severe cuts to rural bus services, Gloucestershire County Council should be congratulated in listening, then acting upon and supporting, the introduction of this type of service.”

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive (Con, Newent), cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure at the county council, said: “We’re working really hard to find ways to save money, while protecting as many services as possible - and the changes in the Forest of Dean are a good example of that.

“A new circular service in the Forest will offer more communities transport links, offering more people an evening service to make essential journeys.”

Sue Dubois, who has lobbied the authorities and bus providers as Betterbuses4ForestofDean, said: “Some 3,200 bus users answered the recent subsidised transport consultation. The Cabinet at Gloucestershire County Council have responded favourably to the results with good news.

“Many voted for routes 23, 24, 30 and 31 to amalgamate to give the Forest back an evening service, and maintain the Sundays services. The route will be a “round robin” Gloucester-Newnham- Lydney-Coleford and Mitcheldean.

“While we still await final figures regarding budget cuts to transport, we are very pleased with this positive result.”

She added: “We trust that some subsidy will remain to keep some of our more vulnerable routes

in Newent, Ruardean, Bream and to Chepstow.”