BUS services have long provided a vital lifeline for residents across the region.

They take people to schools, colleges, shops, hospitals, work and leisure activities, while simultaneously helping to cut the traffic on congested roads.

Therefore cuts to services come as a major disappointment.

The issue has touched communities in Dursley, Thornbury and Yate.

Yet in Yate, as the Gazette reports this week, campaigners have won the battle to have their service restored.

This is great news for the town, and also shows just what can be achieved when people come together in the pursuit of a common goal.

Without a decent joined-up transport strategy, dependency on cars is likely to increase.

And people without access to a car are likely to go out less.

As such, our roads will clog up further and those without access to a car will become isolated.

Both of these outcomes are highly undesirable. So, if bus services in themselves aren’t financially viable, it makes sense they should be subsidised.