Mayor of London Boris Johnson stepped in to save the number 13 bus from being cut after a “cross-party campaign”, according to a City Hall spokesman.

Transport for London recently finished a public consultation on plans to cut the route, which runs from Golders Green to Aldwych, as well as the N13 from North Finchley to Aldwych.

However, Mr Johnson announced last Friday that the bus route would not be scrapped.

In a video, posted on Twitter, he said: “As long as I am Mayor of London, as long as you’ve got a Conservative Mayor of London, and a Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, we are going to keep the number 13 bus route - that’s our plan.”

Mike Freer, the Conservative candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, and Labour’s candidate Sarah Sackman both welcomed the news, after having campaigned to keep the route.

A spokesman for the mayor's office has defended his decision to speak out on the issue during the pre-election period.

They said: “The mayor is well aware of a cross-party campaign to protect the number 13 bus route from Golders Green to Aldwych. He is entitled to express his view on matters that are important to local people during this time and he has made his thoughts on the future of Route 13 clear.

“He is not persuaded by the argument that the route should be replaced and has pledged that it will remain in operation and continue to serve those who rely on it.”

In a letter sent to residents, TfL said: “We received over 3000 responses to the consultation which is now closed. However, concerns have been expressed that the consultation has been partially undertaken during the pre-election period which runs until 7th May.

“It is therefore our intention not to progress the scheme at this time. The comments received from this consultation will however be used to inform future bus network planning in the Finchley Road and Abbey Road areas, and any resulting proposals would be subject to further public consultation.”