Mitcheldean Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway extraction industry in the Forest of Dean. The Monmouth and Hereford Railway was incorporated in 1845, but limited in scope by Parliament, and the powers were not exercised. However, in 1851 the "Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway" received its authorising Act of Parliament, and it opened a line on a similar alignment from Hereford to Grange Court on 1 June 1855. The GWR itself built the connecting section from Grange Court to Gloucester, and the South Wales Railway opened its line progressively from Grange Court to Chepstow. The South Wales Railway took over the "Forest of Dean Railway", successor to
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,