COUNTY Council chiefs have taken up the cudgels against Network Rail over its decision to back out of an agreement to provide 'vital' extra car parking spaces at Lydney Station.

Nigel Riglar, the county council Commissioning Director for Communities and Infrastructure, has sent a stinging letter to Patrick Butcher, Network Rail's Group Finance Director expressing his disappointment and frustration.

He says the extra parking at the station is a key element in the development blueprint for Lydney over the next decade and is bluntly critical of the rail operator's decision on April 27 this year to overturn an agreement on car parking spaces made two years ago.

"Lydney is the only town in the Forest of Dean with a railway station and as such, contributes significantly to the accessibility of the town," he said.

"The town is identified as the focus of 1,900 new dwellings and 20 hectares of employment land to be delivered up to 2026.

"Providing additional parking will be crucial to encouraging people to use services which have been increased with Arriva Trains Wales and Cross Country Trains in recent years."

Mr Riglar also points out the station's wider role in regeneration, especially tourism.

He adds: "It is therefore disappointing and frustrating for Network Rail at this late stage to inform Gloucestershire County Council that it is unable to proceed with the letting of this lease which is an important piece of the jigsaw in the regeneration of Lydney.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We have been working with Gloucestershire County Council, Lydney Town Council and the Forest of Dean District Council to explore options for land near Lydney station.

"This is a complicated issue which involves a number of stakeholders, including the Office of Rail and Road, and there are added complexities when dealing with land so close to the operational railway.

"We remain committed to discussing this issue with local stakeholders."