Bus services across Islington that were at risk of being axed have been saved following a backlash from passengers.

In June, Transport for London (TfL) put forward proposals that would have ended the route 4, re-routed the 214 outside of the borough, and cut back the 254, 259 and 476 routes.

The cuts were proposed due to a lack of funding from central government and a fall in passenger numbers since the start of the pandemic. A funding settlement has since been reached.

The announcement of the proposals over the summer prompted Islington Council to agree a Save Islington’s Buses motion and to encourage members of the public to take part in TfL’s consultation.

After TfL received more than 20,000 replies to its request for feedback, London Mayor Sadiq Khan agreed to provide additional annual funding of £25 million for buses. This means that none of the changes proposed for Islington will now go ahead.

Across London, only three bus routes out of TfL’s 620 total network will go - the 332, 507 and 521 - and others will still see changes.

Cllr Rowena Champion, executive member for environment, air quality and transport, said: “Today’s news is a welcome relief for people across Islington who rely on bus services, which are the cheapest, most accessible way to travel around the borough, and are vital to making Islington a more equal place.  

“The proposed cuts would have made it harder for vulnerable people to get to hospital appointments, would have restricted a cheap mode of transport during a cost-of-living crisis, and would have led to children needing to take multiple buses to get to school.

“We’re delighted that local people’s voices have been heard, and that TfL has chosen not to cut vital bus services in Islington.”  

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I was furious on behalf of Londoners that TfL was having to consider reducing the bus network due to conditions attached by the government to the funding deal. The strength of feeling across the capital was clear to me, and I was adamant that I would explore every avenue available to me to save as many buses as possible.

“This will mean tough decisions elsewhere, but I am very pleased that the vast majority of bus routes proposed to be cut due to the government’s funding conditions can now be saved."