Around 75 residents, dignitaries and council staff gathered this morning (Monday 4 September) to celebrate the launch of a critical bus link between Potters Bar and Barnet, following our recent decision to allocate developer funding to this key route.
The 84B bus route restores direct access to and from Potters Bar train station and Barnet Hospital, six days per week. It provides an invaluable link for hospital users and visitors, schoolchildren, local businesses and residents.
Having identified this route as a key piece of infrastructure needing support, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, totalling £183,600, will be provided for an initial period of 12 months. Further funding streams are being explored with other partner authorities and agencies, with the ultimate aim that the route should be self-sustaining.
The Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Chris Myers, led the celebrations at the train station by cutting both a specially-decorated cake and a ribbon to mark the start of the service, whilst refreshments were served to all.
The Mayor was joined by Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet; London Assembly Member Elly Baker; Hertsmere borough councillors; Hertfordshire county councillors; residents who have actively campaigned for the restoration of the route; representatives of the bus operators Central Connect; and council staff.
The Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, commented: “We’re really thrilled to have been able to restore this service, which reverses a bus cut dating from 2022. It’s a crucial link which enables residents of Potters Bar to access Barnet General Hospital, and many children to get to their schools. It brings families and communities back together who’ve been separated by the absence of this route.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to pioneer the use of the Community Infrastructure Levy to support this incredibly important transport link. From the number of people at the launch today, it’s clear that residents are committed to ensuring the route can be sustained into the future.”
Cabinet Member for Planning, infrastructure and transport, Cllr Nik Oakley, added: “The sun shone on this joyful occasion and it was clear that everyone was delighted to see this bus route restored. We’ve moved incredibly quickly to deliver this new route in time for the start of the school term and I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make that happen.”
The route is operated by Central Connect, part of the Vectare group, and details of the route and timetable can be found by visiting: intalink.org.uk/services
Posted on Monday 4th September 2023