Forest of Dean access issues to be studied by group

Forest of Dean residents have only two main road links to travel east across the River Severn

A task group has been set-up to look at the issues surrounding access to and from the Forest of Dean district.

More than 80,000 people live in the area which is restricted by the River Severn and served by only two main road links and a single rail link.

There are also increasing concerns over the effects congestion is having on residents, businesses and tourism.

The Gloucestershire County Council group has been tasked with recommending ways to address future issues.

Its members have until October to gather evidence and information and then make their recommendations to the council's cabinet in December.

'Transport issues'

Labour councillor Brian Oosthuysen, chairman of the overview and scrutiny management committee, said: "The task group has been set up to help better understand the traffic issues affecting access to and from the Forest of Dean and the impact on the local economy."

Patrick Molyneux, Conservative councillor for Sedbury, said he was "passionate" about making it easier for people, visitors and businesses to get to, from and around the Forest of Dean.

"The task group will be talking to Network Rail, district and parish councils, the National Assembly for Wales and Monmouthshire Council, along with many other groups to identify how we can tackle some of the transport issues we face."