Some bus services are to be removed for the general public in order that they can be reserved for school pupils.

Cornwall Council has reassured parents, carers and students that it is "working closely" with schools and bus companies to make sure that arrangements are in place for students travelling to and from schools when they reopen in September.

The council said it would continue to provide transport for eligible students to and from school and in post-16 education through dedicated student-only school buses, taxis/minibuses and other forms of transport including public bus services.

Some peak time public bus services that have previously been available for anyone to travel on, are being reserved for students only to travel to school.

Out of the 1,400 bus journeys being supported by the council, 84 of them - normally one in the morning and one in the afternoon - will change from being open to all passengers, to being reserved for students to travel to school.

The council said the remaining 94 per cent of journeys on the normal network will be unaffected and fully operational.

A list of journeys affected are on the Council website www.cornwall.gov.uk/schooltransport and bus users are advised to check and plan their travel in advance.

An additional 25 buses will be provided to duplicate some journeys where it is known that a large number of students would normally travel, which means there will be two buses making the same journey, with one being exclusively for the use of students travelling to school.

The Department for Education (DfE) has allocated additional funding to the council for school transport.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council's cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: “We’re asking the public to help by not travelling at peak times if possible, and to check before they set off that the bus journey they intend to travel on has not been changed to student use only.

"We realise that this may cause issues for a small number of passengers who perhaps use that bus to get to work so we’re urging employers to be understanding of the situation.

"Any member of the public affected by a bus journey that has been changed to student use only should contact the transport team who will try to assist wherever possible with essential journeys.”

The council is also asking parents and carers, where possible, to not drive children to school but instead encourage their children to walk, scoot or cycle, particularly for those with shorter journeys, to ease traffic congestion, improve air quality and reduce Cornwall's carbon footprint.

Mr Brown added: “We all have a part to play in making sure that everyone understands and abides by the government guidance around social distancing.

"The most important things are that we plan ahead, all wash our hands thoroughly and regularly, wear face coverings on public transport whilst following the two metre distancing rule or, if that is not possible, the ‘one metre plus’ approach, as outlined by the Government.”