Bus route overhaul through Barnet borough questioned by transport campaigners (From Times Series)

Bus route overhaul through Barnet borough questioned by transport campaigners

2:51pm Monday 23rd November 2009

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CHANGES to bus routes through the borough will “better serve” commuters according to transport bosses.

Some of the alterations were brought in earlier this month, while Transport for London (TfL) are continuing to assess the viability of bringing in a new route through the Colindale area.

Opposition groups have spoken out about the rerouted 186 bus as they feel there was a lack of consultation and the potential for causing a doubling up of services through some low demand areas.

Buses are now being diverted away from Watford Way in order to serve Grahame Park and the Beaufort Park development, with the possibility of a new service coming in through the area.

A statement from TfL said a consultation was carried out in March, and added: “The changes were introduced to better serve the new developments in the Grahame Park area, serving Aerodrome Road for the new Beaufort Estate.

“The re-routed 186 will improve access to and from Mill Hill Broadway Station and will allow residents in the Grahame Park direct access to the Brent Cross Shopping Centre.”

Following the changes, on November 7, transport chiefs said commuters on Watford Way will still be served by the 113 bus, although that now terminates at Marble Arch instead of Oxford Circus as part of plans to cut traffic through the busy central London shopping district.

They also said they are reviewing responses to a consultation on a new 324 route which would travel between Stanmore station and Brent Cross, Tilling Road.

Jack Welby, of the Barnet Transport Users Association, questioned the need for the overhaul and said: “The first we knew about was when the changes came in.

“There is also likely to be duplication going through Aerodrome Road and the plans show it will not be regular enough.”

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