A CAMPAIGN to save a bus service between Newport, Chepstow and Bristol has won the backing of two Gwent politicians.

Last month Stagecoach West announced it would cease operating the Severn Express, or the X14 service, from Sunday, June 14, saying it had been making a loss of more than £5,000 per week.

The bus is used by many commuters who live in Gwent but work in Bristol or the Cribbs Causeway shopping centre.

Transport body Transition Chepstow has been in talks with Monmouthshire County Council, the Welsh Government, South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council in an attempt to gain emergency funding to keep the route going in the short term - and now the campaign has been backed by Newport East MP Jessica Morden and her Senedd counterpart John Griffiths.

In a letter sent to minister for transport and the economy Ken Skates on Friday, Ms Morden and Mr Griffiths explained the impact the loss of the service could have on their constituents.

The letter reads: "A considerable number of residents in Newport East use the service to get to work, and will be in a very difficult position when the service ends.

"On behalf of the constituents affected, we write to ask whether the Welsh Government will look at what support it can provide to continue a bus service on the Severn Express, and in doing so provide a boost to the public transport network in South East Wales to help ease traffic and pollution.

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"We understand that Newport Transport and Monmouthshire County Council are aware of the situation and there are indications that there are would be a willingness to work in partnership with South Gloucestershire council if this funding was available to support a 'peak' style service as an extension to the X74 Newport Transport route between Newport and Chepstow.

"We'd be grateful if your officials could look into the feasibility of supporting such a service after June."

Transition Chepstow chairman Tim Melville said he "welcomed the support" of Ms Morden and Mr Griffiths, and said the organisation had now submitted a document to Monmouthshire Council outlining possible alternative plans to axing the service, including redirecting funds from less-used bus services, or using a mini-bus in non-peak times.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "It is unfortunate that the operator is ceasing the Severn Express service in June but officers from Monmouthshire County Council and Welsh Government are investigating ways in which a bus service between Chepstow and Bristol/Cribbs Causeway might be established and ideally integrated with regional bus services. Nothing has yet been agreed but there is a willingness amongst officers to find a way to offer the service."

Earlier this week a Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are aware of the intention of the current operator to withdraw the commercial service between Newport and Bristol, and we are working with Monmouthshire County Council to consider possible options to provide mitigation in the short-term.”