Gloucestershire County Council has responded to worries over changes to bus services across the county.

Stagecoach, First and Cotswold Green will change a number of the services they provide in the district.

While many of the changes are positive, some of the routes affected will see a reduction in service.

Though the council has no control over the bus companies or the changes planned, it is committed to helping people get to vital services.

The council has been working with commercial providers to determine what it can do to support the areas where services are being withdrawn.

Cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure Cllr Will Windsor- Clive said: “These significant service changes have come about as a result of decisions made by the bus operating companies to concentrate on routes where they expect increased passenger numbers in the future.

“Whilst there are many positive benefits coming out of the changes for bus users, we recognise that some communities will have a reduced level of service and we are doing all we can to ensure that they can continue to access essential services.”

Benefits included new Saturday evening journeys between Cheltenham and Stroud from Stagecoach.

There will also be a half-hourly service between Forest Green, Nailsworth, Stroud and Gloucester and an improved service to Cam & Dursley Railway Station where buses will be timed to link with key trains to and from Bristol.

Other benefits include an hourly service between Dursley and Cheltenham via Stonehouse and Stroud, buses every 15 minutes between Gloucester City Centre and Kingsway, a better service linking Dursley and Bristol via Berkeley and Sharpness – timed to allow commuting and a direct route linking Dursley to Cribbs Causeway.

However, one notable loss to service will be the number 21, which travels through Uley, Stroud and Bristol. A lot of concerns arose over the fact the bus was the only wheel-chair and pram accessible transport to travel from the Rangers and “Poets” estates, off Woodmancote, to Dursley’s town centre.

The bus company’s decisions also mean that regular services to parts of Eastcombe (service 26) as well as Nortonwood and Hazel Court (service 93) will stop.

The council will be funding buses for these areas at shopping times to support local people. Bus services will continue to serve the Whiteway area of Dursley throughout the day on Monday to Saturday.

The new timetables will start from Sunday, November 2. For more information and to view timetables visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/travel

Hard copy timetables will be available on buses and in libraries from Thursday, October 30.