A seemingly doomed bus service has been granted a temporary reprieve while the county council considers a permanent solution.

Residents of the Leavesden Green and Kingswood estates faced losing their only bus route when Mullany’s announced plans to cut the R8 service in January.

The service will still be axed as planned on April 1, however following a petition led by Watford borough councillor Tim Williams, a temporary service will be retained for two months to enable Hertfordshire County Council to monitor usage.

READ MORE: Bus company Mullany's intends to axe two 'lifeline' services

The shorter service, which will continue to link the two estates to the North Watford supermarkets at the Dome Roundabout, will be subsidised as a “socially necessary” route.

However Cllr Williams urged people to utilise the temporary service or risk losing it altogether.

He said: “I know residents who rely on the bus will be pleased that the service has been given a reprieve by the county council.  

“However they will be assessing passenger numbers and looking at whether this shorter route is viable – so if you value having a bus, make sure you use it.

“I’d like to thank everybody who has signed my petition – I’m glad that people power has worked and the county council has listened and agreed to run a trial service to the supermarkets. I hope residents support the service and therefore will help secure its future.”