FURTHER concessions to a proposed service cut have been made today after widespread public outcry.

FURTHER concessions to a proposed service cut have been made today after widespread public outcry.

Following a 700-strong petition against proposals to cut Ipswich Buses' number 2 service, a U-turn was made by bosses who earlier this month announced part of the service would remain.

Instead of withdrawing the service altogether, Ipswich Buses said it would run an off-peak service on the route from 9.30am-3.30pm, on weekdays.

Bus chiefs have now gone one step further by revealing that when the changes come in on Monday September 29, the service will run from 8.25am from Tower Ramparts to around 4.30pm for the return journey.

Paul West, responsible for transport at Ipswich Council, said the decision was taken to help people making use of the Genesis Project, a learning disabilities charity, off Common Road.

He added that the bus company will be seeking funding from the county council in the next three months in a bid to make the extended service times permanent.

“During that time it is my intention to speak with the county to see if we can find that bit of funding we need to make it permanent,” Mr West said.

Opposition Labour councillors on the council have welcomed the change but say they remain unhappy that the revised timetable remains a huge reduction from the previous 34 buses per day.

Councillor John Cook said: "We are pleased that our campaigning and petitioning has gained another concession from the bus company.

“However, three timetable changes in a week show that the Tories running the bus company don't know what they are doing. It looks like the changes have been worked out on the back of a bus ticket."

Does the change in service affect you? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk