CAMPAIGNING residents will be celebrating the decision to reinstate the daily bus service between Chalford Hill and Stroud this week.

Stagecoach and Gloucestershire County Council have agreed to bring back the daily 26 France Lynch service, which runs from Brantwood Green in Chalford Hill to Stroud at 9.09am.

The SNJ has been reporting on the public transport crisis in and around Stroud for several months, and launched a 'save our buses' campaign four weeks ago (SNJ report, Wednesday, August 10).

Now, after a meeting between Stagecoach and county council transport chiefs on Monday, it seems we are on the road to success.

Rupert Cox, commercial manager at Stagecoach, said that the service was originally taken off because low hanging branches on the route were a hazard to double decker buses.

However, Gloucestershire County Council have now agreed to trim the offending trees so the service can be reinstated.

"Originally there weren't that many people using it," said Mr Cox. "We did want to run it but we didn't have a single decker available.

"But we have had a lot of phone calls and letters, so we decided to bring it back."

Chalford Parish Council's transport representative, Muriel Milton, said she was pleased that the 26 service had been reintroduced but would continue fighting for the 22b to Cirencester to be brought back.

"It's unfortunate that people in the Manor Farm estate don't have regular public transport because all the kids learn to drive at 17 and that just adds to the problem on the roads," she said.

"Even something for the students at Cirencester College would be nice."

Derek Lucas, transport manager for Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We are excited about working with Stagecoach and look forward to receiving more details about the trees and vegetation that are causing concern."