THE WHEELS are about to turn on a new community transport service designed to plug gaps left by axed bus services.

Forest Community Transport service will run from Lydney bus station, which is due to be revamped by early next year.

It will open its doors to passengers on Monday and replace the number 705, 707, 708 and 709 buses.

Lydney Dial A Ride will run the service in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council.

However, people of all ages can use the new buses which will provide a direct link to Chepstow and Coleford where onward connections can be made to Gloucester.

Operating like any other normal bus service, pensioners will still be able to travel free.

Connect fares will allow passengers to continue their journeys

with Stagecoach buses and short hop fares between villages are also available.

The 701 will link Coleford to St Briavels and Scowles; the 707 Coleford and Chepstow; the 709 Symonds Yat and Coleford and the 784 Purton, Awre, Rodley and Bollow.

Service 756 will continue as demand led response service.

Coun Chas Fellows, cabinet member for economy and environment, said: "In rural areas particularly, there is not enough demand for a traditional timetabled service but there is still a need for public transport to help get around.

"We've listened to what local people have told us and we've worked hard to find a solution that fits."

Manager Louise Currie, said: "The routes complement the charity's ethos which is to enable people to use their local services by providing transport to access them

and to enable them to travel further afield in an easy cost-efficient manner."