More than 30,000 passengers have travelled on a special shuttle bus service over Dunmail Raise since its launch in February.

The A591 was closed following a landslide in December.

The route is an essential connection between Grasmere and Keswick and its closure is estimated to be costing the local economy £1 million a day.

Bus operator Stagecoach has been providing a shuttle service, using an upgraded forest road to avoid the damaged section.

But the route will not reopen to all traffic until Friday May 13 although that is a week earlier than originally expected.

Matthew Cranwell, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire managing director, said: “It’s great to know that so many people have benefited from this service and it is clear that it has helped keep many people connected over the past few months.

“The passenger numbers demonstrate the local community’s commitment to prove that Cumbria is in fact open for business.

‘We have worked hard to retain vital links to communities in the Lake District during a particularly difficult few months after the floods. We would like to thank all our passengers who continue to support this service and we look forward to reinstating a normal 555 service when the A591 reopens.”

The temporary 555 service operates on an hourly basis from 7am to 7pm.

Passengers using the shuttle service can make the most of their day out in the lakes by bus with reduced price travel. Anyone boarding this service can buy an explorer ticket for £5 and travel all day on any Stagecoach bus across Cumbria and North Lancashire.

The ticket is only available to passengers using the shuttle service.