Gloucestershire's bid for bus service improvement funding has suffered a setback this week.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced this week which councils that were successful in receiving funding for the government's Bus Back Better Scheme.

Gloucestershire County Council submitted its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to the DfT, but wasn't one of the authorities to be successful at this stage.

Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member responsible for public transport, said: "Unfortunately, BSIP funding was limited and only around 30 per cent of councils were awarded money.

"While this is disappointing news, we have been assured that this is not a final 'no' and there will continue to be opportunities for future funding. We will indeed be working with the DfT to better understand how we can strengthen our BSIP.

"We remain committed to improving and supporting the many bus services we have in the county, as buses are a green and sustainable way to travel that will help us meet our carbon emission targets.

"The county council continues to press ahead with its plans to develop mass rapid transport options, road priority improvements for buses, the transport hub at Arle Court Park and Ride, improved ticketing, low and zero emission buses and rolling out the new rural on-demand bus services in the Forest of Dean and Cotswold."

Cllr Roger Whyborn, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for public transport, said: "This is desperately disappointing news to receive for our residents. The county council was hedging its bets on receiving tens of millions of pounds from national funding to prop up our impoverished bus network, so the failure to receive any money at all is a huge blow for all users.

"As outlined in the Government's own feedback - areas that were unsuccessful with their bids failed to show 'sufficient ambition'. This was something we highlighted when draft proposals were first shared with us last year - with the administration only seeking meagre increases in passenger numbers for the Government funding they expected to fall into their laps.

"Over recent years, we have seen the impact of a lack of funding for public transport in Gloucestershire - with companies slashing the frequency of services and cutting other routes entirely, completely isolating some of the most vulnerable residents in our rural communities.

"Given this failed bid, the Conservatives need to immediately review their budgets to give public transport in Gloucestershire the money it desperately needs, otherwise they'll see the continued decline to this absolutely vital service."