Forest of Dean Railway on a contiguous line built by the GWR. Newnham was the main line junction station, although some branch trains ran through to Gloucester. As motor bus services became dominant, the passenger services became unprofitable and they were withdrawn in 1958. The network was closed completely in 1967 as mineral traffic ceased. The Forest of Dean Coalfield had long been a source of mineral working, for iron ore and coal. Free Miners had statutory rights in the Forest, which protected them from external competition. However this limited the extent to which large scale operations could be undertaken. A number of short
Forest of Dean District Council Forest of Dean District Council Forest of Dean District Council is the local authority for Forest of Dean District. Forest of Dean District is located in West Gloucestershire in the South West of England region. Its council is based in Coleford. Other towns in the district include Cinderford, Newent and Tidenham. Forest of Dean District Council elects 48 Councillors. As of 2017 the Council comprises 22 Conservative Councillors, 9 Labour Councillors, 8 Independent Councillors, 4 UKIP Councillors, 4 "Independent Labour" Councillors and 1 Green Party Councillor. The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972,