PUBLIC transport campaigners and supporters are rallying to defend Forest of Dean bus services from proposed county council cuts.

If implemented, the proposed cuts could leave parts of the Forest of Dean cut off from Gloucester in the evenings and at weekends.

Sue Dubois of the Better Buses campaign said: “I am lobbying all elected councillors and the district council cabinet to request a debate at county cabinet regarding the critical state of our bus services.

“I am also urging people to use their bus services in the evenings and weekends where possible.”

Anna-Marie Daniels, Community Transport Partnership Coordinator for the Forest of Dean, which co ordinates the dial-a-ride services and local shopper bus services, said: “Lydney Dial a Ride worked closely with county council when the original bus review took place about five years ago.

“We were was able to offer a solution that saved them money but also ensured that local people could still access their local amenities.

“It has been a great success with steady patronage and a good relationship has been built between the passengers and drivers.

“The current review means that many people could be left with a service that only operates one day a week.”

The main routes affected are 30/31 Gloucester-Cinderford-Coleford, 23 Gloucester-Lydney Coleford and 24 Gloucester Mitcheldean Joys Green.

• Bus users are being given three options to choose from.

Option 1 – remove late evening services;

Option 2 – remove Sunday services; Option 3 - only run late evening services (after 8pm) on Fridays and Saturdays, and a reduced service on Sundays.