The Stroud MP's weekly column.

AT my surgery, two women came to see me to talk all things buses. They are campaigning with Transition Stroud Transport to improve bus services in and around Stroud – for the environment and our communities.

I have written before about the excellent Cam and Dursley Transportation group. The brilliant Maidenhill school council brought up buses repeatedly when I met them last week and the GFirstLEP’s survey found transport to be the top concern for young people. I know that there are many other groups who are trying to improve their local services or the whole system.

The energy and knowledge that comes from local campaigners always impresses me. This is an important issue for the Valleys and Vale too. It is easy to forget the human stories of how a bus service can provide a lifeline for somebody who cannot drive for medical reasons and how social good public transport can be in our age of loneliness.

The government is listening. The Prime Minister rarely misses an opportunity to talk about buses and pledged £5bn for bus services and cycle routes. There will be a £50m trial programme to deliver ‘Britain’s first all-electric bus town or city’ and £20m for buses on demand. The Secretary of State for Transport also provided a boost of £642,000 for services in Gloucestershire, which is on top of the £3m that the County Council already spends.

I will work with the County Council to bid for all funds available to improve services in Stroud. In the meantime, do attend Transition Stroud Transport’s campaign events on 23rd and 25th April and please support your local campaigning groups.

Finally, if it is half term for your family. If you are staying at home, perhaps use the bus instead of the car for this week.