Concerns as bus improvements delayed Dursley area

A reduction in drivers means improvements set to be made to Stagecoach services - including in the town as well as Stroud - are now on hold.

Stagecoach currently runs three services in Dursley including the 65, 65X and 165 connecting passengers to Gloucester and across the Stroud area. 

Gloucestershire County Council was awarded nearly £4.5 million by the Department of Transport over two years as part of a scheme to make improvements on bus services across the county.

These improvements which have already been announced in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean have led some people to question how the area has missed out.

Figures from the town have expressed their concerns, describing the situation as "regrettable", "disappointing" and "appalling".

Cam and Dursley Transportation Group say they would like to see improved links to Cam and Dursley Railway Station as well as better links to the Berkeley area.

Secretary David Smith said: "We want better bus services.

"Of course we're disappointed by the delay, but if it has to do with staffing we understand."

Wendy Thomas, Labour county councillor for Dursley, said: "This is my understanding and it is very worrying indeed.

"The extra funding from the Department of Transport needs to be spent within a window of time.

"I am asking GCC's Integrated Transport Unit to please consider alternatives if Stagecoach is not able to source drivers for these expanded routes."

Tony Davey, chair of Stroud & district Chamber of Trade said: "Bus users will likely already be aware of the continued problems brought about by the staffing issues at Stagecoach at its Stroud depot.

"It is regrettable that the churn at this depot continues to impact the level of services they provide, including the commitments to meet these new measures that are awaited by many.

"Members of our communities rely on a reliable and fit- for-purpose bus service, the lack of which regularly comes up in meetings we attend across the district."

Dr Simon Opher with David Smith, secretary of Cam and Dursley Transportation Group, at Dursley bus station (Image: UGC)Dr Simon Opher, Dursley GP and Labour's candidate for the constituency, said "I was dismayed to see further delays to the improvements for bus services for Stroud and Dursley.

"While I welcome the extra investment in buses, most of this seems to have gone to Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean, with almost no improvements at all in Stroud.

"Our area is crying out for better services.

"Wotton and Berkeley are losing bus services travelling south, and the lack of buses in the Stroud area is appalling."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: "We are disappointed that bus improvements have been delayed but understand the staffing concerns raised by Stagecoach.

"We are communicating regularly with Stagecoach and remain committed to delivering the improvements in the Stroud area as soon as possible."

Elisabeth Tasker, interim managing director at Stagecoach West said: "Prior to the introduction of any service improvement we must be certain we have the staffing resource to deliver, both now and in the future, but not to the detriment of other services in the region.

"We will continue to remain transparent with GCC, actively communicating when we are in a position to successfully make the enhancements to evening and weekend services as we both hope."