An evening bus service from Helston to The Lizard is to be reinstated while further monitoring is carried out on how well it is used.

Cornwall Council confirmed to the Packet yesterday that the full number 37 bus leaving Helston Tesco at 7.50pm and the Blue Anchor at 8pm will remain in service for the time being.

It follows a public outcry, as reported in the Helston Packet on Wednesday, over the council’s intention to make the 5.30pm from Tesco, or 5.41pm from the Blue Anchor, the last service to Mullion, Ruan Minor and The Lizard.

Instead, the new summer timetable, managed by Cornwall Council and operated on its behalf by First Kernow, showed the 6.40pm and 7.50pm service from Tesco ending at RNAS Culdrose, with the 10.55pm service scrapped altogether Now the council has said that, while the number of users was “low”, more monitoring would be carried out.

A spokesperson told the Packet: “The council and First Kernow have reviewed the number of evening journeys on the 37 bus service between Helston and The Lizard. “Although the number of people using the service has been low, while further monitoring is carried out it has been agreed to re-instate the service 37 journey leaving Helston Tesco at 19.50 (Coinagehall Street 20.00) to The Lizard, with the return journey leaving The Lizard at 20.54 going back to Helston.”

The news is likely to be welcomed tentatively by those who rely on the bus to get home from work.

Kevin Williams had previously pointed 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 had also 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."

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

Other changes, which will remain in place when the new timetable comes into force tomorrow, 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.