Proposed cuts to the main Helston to Lizard bus route are being reconsidered following a public outcry.

Customers were outraged to learn that the new summer timetable, managed by Cornwall Council and operated on its behalf by First Kernow, no longer includes three evening services - the 6.40pm, 7.50pm and the 10.55pm from Helston Tesco - on the full number 37 bus route.

Instead, the 10.55pm service had been scrapped altogether and the earlier two - used by a large number of workers in the town - ends at RNAS Culdrose, rather than continuing to Mullion, Ruan Minor and The Lizard.

This means that the last bus from Helston Tesco serving the Lizard Peninsula would leave at 5.30pm, or 5.41pm from the Blue Anchor - resulting in workers in the town struggling to get home, or being physically unable to for those in later finishing jobs.

Angry customers have been making their feelings known on Facebook, with Kevin Williams pointing out: "How many people finish work in time to get to Tesco for 5.30pm? This will probably affect people’s jobs."

Tracey Emberton confirmed this, saying: "I can understand the 11pm one as I see it empty often, but my daughter is going to have no way of getting home from work if the 7.50pm goes. She can't drive due to medical reasons."

Leanne Natasha agreed: "What about the people who work late but can’t drive for medical reasons, what are they supposed to do, sprout wings?"

Many questioned why hours were being cut on the summer timetable, when people made use of the lighter evenings by staying out later and at a time when the area was due to get an influx of visitors.

Rachel Bland described 5.30pm as "hardly any time," adding: "Especially in the summer months with hours more daylight. If the kids stay late at school/stay to see friends/work, anything really, then they're scuppered getting home again."

Angela Humphreys agreed: "Why do this now when tourists are here as well as local regular users? Should keep it for the summer at least to make some money on them."

She questioned whether minibuses would be a cheaper alternative, adding: "There must be a solution to this to stop the Lizard Peninsula being isolated and cut off as if we don't exist."

Meanwhile, Hannah Hawkins made the point that the county should be adding more, not reducing, public transport to encourage people to leave their cars at home.

"Instead we are in a downward spiral of 'nobody uses the buses so we took them off' - and why do people stop using the buses? Because there's never a bus at the time you need one.

"How are people in rural areas meant to go out and get a job in Helston or further afield if there are no buses? Absolutely despicable."

However, there could be some hope for worried customers, after a Cornwall Council spokesperson confirmed that authority was working to "re-check the evidence."

She said: "The council is working with First Kernow to analyse data on the number of passengers using bus services and identifying those journeys that have very few passengers on them. This is good housekeeping both from a commercial and environmental point of view.

"The initial data from First Kernow shows that the number of people using buses on The Lizard, particularly in the evenings, is low. We are working with First Kernow to re-check the evidence.

"In all cases where journeys have been earmarked for reduction or withdrawal, if there is evidence of genuine instances of inconvenience or hardship, we will look again at the service provision."

A spokesperson for First Group told the Packet it was a matter for the council to comment on.

Other changes include to the number 36, which will no longer include a 7.26am Saturday service from Helston Tesco to St Keverne, while the 7.57am Saturday service from Coverack to Truro has been removed and will instead start from Mawgan at 8.21am, or 9.42am from Coverack.