Public Meeting: Roads & Transport Across the Forest of Dean

Thank you to everyone who attended my public meeting last night to discuss roads and transport across the Forest of Dean.

I was pleased to welcome representatives from Gloucestershire County Council, including the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Strategic Highways, the Highways Managers for both the Forest of Dean and West Gloucestershire, and a representative from Street Works.

Highways England and the Cabinet Member for Highways at Gloucestershire County Council were also invited but were unfortunately unable to attend.

The meeting made it clear that there are significant frustrations that need urgent attention. These include traffic congestion and commuting delays, poor road conditions and potholes, challenges with public transport, concerns around speeding and road safety, and wider issues relating to infrastructure, planning, and future development.

Bringing key stakeholders into the same room enables me to hold them accountable and ensures that meaningful action follows. Last night was only the beginning—tangible improvements need to be seen and felt.

Many experiences were shared, with day-to-day lives affected by insufficient public transport, poorly planned roadworks, flooding, heavy peak-time traffic, and the clear lack of measures to mitigate the daily challenges faced by so many. We deserve better.

As the MP for the Forest of Dean, I am determined to drive progress. While there is no quick fix—something I know we all find frustrating—I will continue advocating on your behalf. I will work closely with the panellists who attended, as well as other essential organisations and individuals, to ensure that both time and investment are properly directed into the Forest of Dean.

The next steps are crucial. I will keep you updated on progress and the actions taken in response to the concerns raised last night. Please continue to engage with my office at matt.bishop@parliament.uk so we are aware of the issues affecting you most. Your voices matter, and events like last night ensure I can represent you effectively and accurately.

Once again, thank you to everyone who attended and shared your experiences. If you feel your concerns were not addressed or heard, please contact my office—we will liaise with the relevant panellists to ensure your points receive proper attention.

I remain fully committed to securing the Forest of Dean’s fair share of funding to tackle our longstanding transport and highways issues. Last night marked the start of that push, and I will continue to fight for the investment and improvements our community urgently needs.