For a six month trial, starting on Monday 25 November, Asda customers will be able to collect their shopping from a delivery vehicle in the station park; the collection service will be available from 4pm, seven days a week.
Despite repeated requests from the Barnet Society and other local groups, Transport for London has failed to improve the road lay out in the station approach.
Traffic jams and stationary vehicles make entry and exit hazardous for pedestrians at the lower entrance to the station; elderly and disabled passengers experience the greatest difficulty.
But in response to questions from the Barnet Society, Transport for London said it was confident the new Asda service would not attract extra vehicular traffic.
Despite repeated requests from the Barnet Society and other local groups, Transport for London has failed to improve the road lay-out in the station approach
The click-and-collect service was aimed at Tube passengers who would now be able to collect their groceries and other shopping on leaving the station; Asda believed most of the custom would come from passengers who had left cars at the station and wanted to collect their shopping on the way home.
Space for one or more Asda delivery vans would be allocated in the car park and if the six months trial, at six tube stations in north London, including East Finchley, proved a success the new service would be extended to other stations and retailers.
Transport for London has still failed to respond to the Barnet Society’s request for consideration to be given to the operation of Hoppa bus service from the station approach direct to the High Barnet shops and then on to Barnet Hospital.
However, there is a review underway of bus routes serving London’s hospitals and this would take account of the expanded role of Barnet Hospital. TfL say that consultations are underway with the London Assembly’s transport committee.
Hospitals are being asked to collect information on bus routes and other transport services used by patients and visitors and once this data had been assessed, TfL would consider whether bus routes needed to be changed.
