A COLLEGE has laid on a minibus to help its students from Dursley and the surrounding area who have been affected by the current bus cancellations.

SGS College has provided the transport, which is operating a pick up from Cam and Dursley train station; Tesco in Cam, the Kingshill pub; Dursley bus station; Nympsfield and Nailsworth this week.

This follows disruption of services in the area since August 29, which bus firm Stagecoach has said is due to a shortage of drivers, caused by Brexit and the pandemic.

A new bus timetable came into force on August 29, which it is believed has caused problems.

SGS College principal Sara-Jane Watkins said: "SGS College, like other institutions, are currently seeing more learners affected by the late cancellation of bus services, which is having a negative impact on their ability to arrive for lessons on time.

"On the back of the pandemic, and the amount of face-to-face education young people have missed, it is imperative that these issues are resolved quickly so it is not another barrier to accessing their studies.

"We are working closely with relevant organisations to help resolve the issues and are offering flexibility on attendance for those impacted.

"Additionally, we have now put a mini-bus in operation to ensure learners can get to college from some of the affected areas."

SGS will be running a minibus service for the rest of this week.

Students interested in using it are asked to email Laura.Gaiger@sgscol.ac.uk for details.