A “vital” bus route that was set to be axed because of delays to Wirral’s controversial dock bridge replacement has been saved.

The 408 bus route that loops through Wallasey and Birkenhead and is used by thousands was set to be withdrawn after Arriva bosses blamed overrunning works to the Tower Road dock bridge.

The bridge works were meant to be completed last year, and despite promises from Wirral council it would reopen by the end of the month, Arriva said last week it had had enough and was pulling the route.

But following the bridge finally reopening on Thursday, it was revealed the bus route had been saved.

The news comes after council leader Phil Davies made a last ditch attempt to change Arriva’s mind.

Cllr Davies, whose ward is Birkenhead and Tranmere, said: “After expressing my concerns about the removal of the 408 bus route, I lobbied Merseytravel and the Metro Mayor to see what could be done to persuade Arriva to reconsider its position.

“I’m delighted the bus company has listened and decided to preserve the route which means passengers will be able to use the 408 from Birkenhead to Wallasey until at least 2019.

“It is not only good news for regular commuters, but it is a win for people who rely on the bus route to access the businesses and Wirral Met College along Tower Road.”

It comes after the new bridge’s predecessor closed in March last year.

It has handed motorists a time-consuming diversion and been the subject of frustration on social media, with the reopening date having been put back on more than one occasion.

The service links the two Wirral towns, looping through Birkenhead Bus Station, Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wallasey and Liscard, and Arriva said it will continue from September onwards on a “trial basis”.

With Tower Road being off limits due to the works, Arriva said last week the 408 had been “severely affected”, taking a diversion via Duke Street and Dock Road in the initial hope the bridge would reopen by the start of 2018.

The news the route was to cease from September onwards because of the ongoing delays was described as “disappointing” by the council, who had promised to reopen the bridge by the end of June.

On Friday, an Arriva spokeswoman said: “Following the news that the bridge has reopened, Arriva can confirm that we will be reinstating route 408 from September on a three-month trial basis.”

Reacting to the news, Wallasey ward Cllr Paul Hayes said: “I’m glad our calls for the Town Hall to act on this issue have finally persuaded the council to get its act together and work with Arriva to save the 408 bus route.

“Arriva, along with just about everyone who needs to travel between Wallasey and Birkenhead, got fed up to the back teeth with the delays and disruption to their journeys and the waffle and excuses from the council.

“We are delighted to see the bridge back open.”