A bus route could be extended to a hospital to allow people to access services that have been moved there during the coronavirus pandemic.

Transport for London (TfL) says it hopes to confirm plans for the 383 bus to run to Finchley Memorial Hospital in North Finchley “as soon as possible”.

The bus currently runs from Woodside Park Station to The Spires in High Barnet, via Friern Barnet, Whetstone and East Barnet Village.

Campaigners have long been lobbying for a direct bus route to Finchley Memorial due to accessibility concerns for more vulnerable patients.

TfL said the current proposal is a temporary measure in response to the sudden change to healthcare provision in the area. Any permanent changes would be subject to a full public consultation.

A TfL spokesperson said: “We hope to confirm plans to extend the 383 bus route from Woodside Park Station to Finchley Memorial Hospital via North Finchley High Road as soon as possible.

“This would mean customers from Barnet and the surrounding areas could more easily access the hospital, with a number of healthcare services being moved there from other hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic.”

The proposal was welcomed by local politicians. Cllr Lisa Rutter (Conservative, Brunswick Park), called it “a vital bus service” that people have spent a long time waiting for – and many residents would hope any extension of the route would be made permanent.

Barnet and Camden London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore (Labour) said an extension to the route would benefit staff and visitors, and he was pleased progress had been made following eight years of lobbying.