A bus on the test run of route 324 at Brent Cross Tesco

A new bus route serving part of Barnet borough has been announced, to the pleasure of local Green Party members.

Route 324 will link Brent Cross Tesco to Stanmore via Hendon, Colindale and Kingsbury every 20 minutes during the day time.

The new service will use a stop within the Tesco grounds, providing new links for residents in the Marble Drive and Whitefield Avenue areas.

Colindeep Lane, in Colindale, will also be served by a bus for the first time, increasing public transport options for those who wish to leave their car at home.

Zain Sardar, the Green Party’s local election candidate for Colindale, was pleased at the news.

“It’s brilliant” said Zardar.  ”People in Colindale, and in particular around Colindeep Lane, can now enjoy better access to the public transport network  in London.”

“This new service will help everybody – from commuters going to Hendon Central and shoppers at Brent Cross, to students at Stanmore College and patients at Kingsbury Community Hospital – this route benefits so many” Sardar added.

Andrew Newby, the Green Party general election candidate for Hendon, also welcomed the new service.

“Coming hot on the heels of the re-routeing of the 186 via Grahame Park and Aerodrome Road, this is another piece of good news for public transport users in Colindale” said Newby. “Providing areas with new services really gives people a choice and is an added incentive for people to use forms of transport that are more sustainable.”

Andrew Saffrey, the Green Party’s candidate for Golders Green ward, praised the new route.

“Until now, bus links to the north and west from this part of Golders Green ward have been poor” said Saffrey. “Instead of having to walk to Brent Cross bus station, or change buses, residents in the area around Mapledown School will be able to get to Hendon Central and Kingsbury much more easily.”

“The consultation showed very strong support for this route, particularly in places like Colindeep Lane where previously no bus route served” Saffrey added. “This can only be a good thing as it means people are desperately crying out for bus services to reduce their dependence on the private car.”

Transport for London (TfL) plans to commence services in Autumn 2010 with single-decker minibuses.

More info:
* TfL press release
* Hendon Times article