A GREEN bus funded by councils could solve transport problems on the A48 and beyond, a campaigner claims.

Transport lobbyist Sue Dubois has spent two years looking at the best way to get a joined-up approach to transport in the Forest of Dean.

After looking at schemes across the country, she is convinced a community bus, run on green principles, is the way forward.

The Newnham-on-Severn artist, who does not drive, is to talk to councils along the A48 about the possibility of such a scheme.

Sue spoke out after it was said the poor service between Newnham, Lydney and Chepstow was driving people out of work.

She said an aging population and few well-paid jobs in the Forest meant more people would rely on public transport in the future.

She said: "The burden cannot be taken up by community transport volunteers so we need to look into purchasing a Big Green Bus with a low carbon footprint for Severnside.

"There are a few community-run bus services in the county, so let's purchase our own village transport and get things moving.

"Public expenditure cuts could mean public transport cuts. The A48 is a major route and possibly may well be without a proper bus service in a year or so."

MP Mark Harper said he had been in talks with the county council since Stagecoach withdrew the 73 service last autumn.

He said: "The county council could not afford to replace the service itself as it would have cost around £60,000 per year for a service used by less than 10 people. Instead it provided a limited replacement from within existing budgets.

"I've been in touch with the county council on a number of occasions and I can confirm that they are working with Arriva Trains and Stagecoach to include Lydney railway station on the bus route and to make sure that the bus times connect with train times."