Forest market town to get new transport hub

1 hour ago

Carmelo GarciaLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Work on the scheme will begin later in the spring

Local Democracy Reporting Service An older woman stands on a double decker bus as four other people - three women and an older man - wait by the open door at the bus stop. It is a sunny day and there is trees and bushes on the other side of the road. — Work on the scheme will begin later in the spring

It is hoped plans for a new transport hub will make a growing market town more attractive to visitors.

Civic chiefs said Newent is "the most beautiful town in the Forest of Dean" but are concerned the first thing visitors see is the Lewell Street car park, where recycling bins are overflowing.

They plan to transform and rebrand the area as St Benedict's Square to celebrate its historical origins as the former site of a Benedictine priory, with a better shelter with live passenger information to be installed.

Changes to the 32 bus route, which links Newent with Gloucester, will improve access for residents in the south east of the town and mean a bus stop would be a ten minute walk for most.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a secure cycle storage and repair facility, electric vehicle charge points, a drinking water fountain, and a feature history wall highlighting Newent's heritage are planned.

A consultation is being led by public transport group Buses4Us and is supported by Newent Town Council, Stagecoach, Gloucestershire County Council, Forest of Dean District Council and Newent Cycle Group.

Clare Stone, chairman of Buses4Us, said the improvements would help prepare the town for the more than 1,000 homes expected to be built over the next 20 years.

She said in the local plan development in Newent is concentrated in the south east of the town.

Buses4Us A very large pile of cardboard recycling - mostly boxes - in a car park — There are concerns the current bus stop near the car park on Lewell Street deters visitors

"Now if we don't have a good public transport connection between the town centre and those areas in place before it all starts we are going to leave those people very disconnected," she said.

Sid Green, Forest of Dean District Council's cabinet member for property and projects, said the council is fully supportive of the plans.

Gill Moseley, Gloucestershire County Councillor for Newent, said it is "particularly important" the scheme is sorted out before "we get all involved with local government reorganisation", and the council has a dedicated officer for the project.

Along with councils setting aside funding for the project, a bequest made to Buses4Us in memory of a resident is also being put towards the development.

Gary Vaughan, who died last year, said "something needs doing with that car park", the transport group said.

Work is expected to begin in late spring.