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Sunday, 01 November 2020 17:59

Easier access to Finchley Memorial Hospital with direct bus

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Bus services on the 383 route are now running directly from Barnet to Finchley Memorial Hospital in response to an appeal by the Mayor of London to ensure that Transport for London responds to the redirection of hospital patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Changes to the hospital services provided by the Royal Free Hospital Trust has increased demand for a bus direct to the community hospital in Granville Road, Finchley.
As from Saturday 31 October, the 383 – which also calls at New Barnet, Oakleigh Park and Whetstone -- is continuing to Finchley Memorial instead of terminating at its current destination of Woodside Park Station.

“We hope this trial extension of the 383 will provide better access to Finchley Hospital,” said Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport services planning.
“The pandemic has led to sudden changes in health care provisions in the Barnet area and we hope this will help people get to work and access healthcare facilities.”

The frequency of the route, operated by Uno bus, will continue unchanged, from Monday to Saturday, with a service every 30 minutes between 6am and 8pm from Finchley Memorial and every 30 minutes from the Spires, Barnet, between 5.35am and 7.35pm.
From the existing terminus at Woodside Park Station, the extended route will run back along Woodside Park Road before turning on to North Finchley High Road and continuing to Granville Road where a new bus stop and stand have been installed following changes to the hospital car park.

Andrew Meakin, regional property director for the management of the hospital, says the extended route, stopping directly outside the hospital, should provide “a much needed accessible solution” for visitors, especially for vulnerable and elderly patients, who visit the hospital.
“We hope this will reduce the amount of traffic within the hospital grounds and surrounding areas, and also improve parking facilities to free up more spaces for those who cannot use public transport or come from further afield.”

Any permanent change to the 383 route will be subject to a full public consultation in early 2021.
Mr Hobbs said TfL looked forward to hearing feedback from the community when the consultation is held.

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