THE new operators of the rail service through the Forest of Dean should introduce a direct link between Lydney and Bristol, says town councillor James Greenwood.

Councillor Greenwood told a meeting of Severn Tunnel Action Group that whichever company wins the Wales and Border rail franchise for the next 15 years needs to improve links with Lydney.

“It is crazy that we don’t have a direct service to Bristol,” he said. “Lydney is the gateway to the Forest with its only rail station, but at present you have to change trains at Severn Tunnel Junction.

“Having a direct service to Bristol would be so much better or business and the Forest economy as a whole.

“And obviously I wold like to see the new car parking facilities completed as well.”

A county council spokesman, who was also ant the meeting,  said: “The county council aims to bring more frequent, faster rail services and modern station facilities to Gloucestershire.

“Better rail links will help support the county’s businesses and boost tourism, helping us fulfil key priorities: attracting investment and increasing jobs for local people.

“In the Forest of Dean, last year we were pleased to announce an extra 100 car parking spaces at Lydney train station to more than double the capacita.

“We’d like to see more trains stopping there in future and are actively engaging in the rail franchise renewal process to bring about this change.”

The Severn Tunnel Action Group roundtable met in Caldicot on Monday to discuss the future of the Wales and Borders rail franchise, and the needs of commuters and communities in the Forest of Dean, Monmouthshire and Newport.

The new franchise – currently run by Arriva Train Wales – is nearing its end, with a new franchise due to be awarded in 2018 to one of four shortlisted bidders - Arriva, Abellio, Keolis or MTR.

The successful bidder will run the franchise for 15 years, and will have responsibility for the incoming South Wales Metro system alongside the Welsh Government.

The meeting offered stakeholders in the area a forum to discuss their key priorities for the new franchise, including improvements to stations, rolling stock and capacity.

David Flint of the Severn Tunnel Action group said: “A small committee representing Lydney, Chepstow, Caldicot and Severn Tunnel Junction stations will now be pulling together to develop all the thoughts expressed during the meeting  before reporting back.

“The aim is to jointly present these joint ideas and objectives to the franchise bidders, as well as to Transport for Wales and Welsh Government.”

Jessica Morden, Newport East MP and Member of the Welsh Assmbly, also stressed the importance of rail links with the Forest of Dean.

She said: “It was good to have a variety of voices around the table to discuss what local communities are looking for from the new Wales and Borders franchise, and the importance of developing a joined-up approach to meet the needs of current and future stations on the railway line between Newport, Lydney and Cheltenham.

“We discussed the need for continued improvements at Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot and Lydney stations, and the potential of a new station for Magor as part of the forthcoming Metro system.

“A key theme that emerged from discussions was the need to ensure that smaller stations don’t fall between the cracks in the midst of larger projects like electrification of the South Wales main line and the development of the Metro.

“We also heard good contributions on freight, and the need for future service providers to develop increased freight transport between Newport, the Forest of Dean and further afield.”