The number 19 bus route from Battersea Bridge has been saved from the axe, after campaigning from Wandsworth politicians and the council.

Last year, TfL had proposed cutting the service, which runs from Battersea Bridge Road to Finsbury Park, so that it stopped short at Holborn.

Wandsworth council had been lobbying to save the bus since November, and in February the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for transport Cllr Jonathan Cook presented a petition to TfL signed by more than 2,200 residents and businesses.

He also wrote to TfL with the results of a survey carried out by the borough’s transport planners. This showed that passengers would need to change buses on 5,200 trips whereas previously their journey was direct – this is 18 per cent of all journeys taken on the route.

Cllr Cook welcomed the news the route was saved, commenting: “The 19 is a key route and local people were very concerned about losing it, especially because of the lack of transport options in the area and the expected increased demand due to new developments such as the Royal College of Art.

“I am delighted that TfL has seen sense and listened to the view of Wandsworth residents and businesses.

“The people of Wandsworth can rest assured we will continue to stand up for their interests and fight for the transport infrastructure the borough needs and deserves.”

Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova was also instrumental in putting pressure on TfL.

She said: “Thousands of local people made their voices heard, and I’m pleased that TfL has listened.”

The update was confirmed in a letter from London’s deputy mayor for transport, Heidi Alexander.

Part of the statement read: “There has been significant concern raised by many stakeholders regarding the proposed changes to route 19, which would have seen the route cut back from Battersea Bridge to Holborn.

“Concerns included the impact of lost connections between Battersea/west London and central London, and an increase in broken journeys outside of the one-hour Hopper time limit.

“TfL took great care to review these concerns and compared them with the benefits of the proposed changes, along with the disadvantages (for example, on air quality and costs) that come with excess bus provision.

“As a result of this analysis, TfL will not be proceeding with the proposed changes to routes 11, 19 and 22. These services will be retained as they currently stand. TfL will also not proceed with the proposed new route 311 as this was only required if the above routes were amended.”