A current bus route has been temporarily extended to allow for easier access to the hospital and other healthcare services.

People living in Barnet will be able to travel with more ease to Finchley Memorial Hospital after the trial period of the extension of the 383 bus route started on Saturday (October 31).

The Mayor asked Transport for London (TfL) to review hospital bus services in 2017 and in light of the pandemic these services have been renewed further.

From Woodside Park station, the current terminus, the route will run back along Woodside Park Road before turning onto North Finchley High Road and continuing via Granville Road to Finchley Memorial Hospital, where it will terminate.

The route will stop at all the usual stops along the way, including North Finchley town centre where customers can change to and from a range other routes serving many parts of north London.

Director of public transport service planning at TfL, Geoff Hobbs said: "The pandemic has let to a sudden change in local healthcare provisions. We hope that this trial extension will help people get to work and access healthcare facilities."

The route, operated by Uno bus, will continue to run from Monday to Saturday and the frequency will remain the same, with a service every 30 minutes between 6am and 8pm.

Regional property director at community health partnerships, who manage the hospital, Andrew Meakin said: "We are thrilled to see the number 383 extension to Finchley Memorial Hospital will be up and running in the coming few days."

Any permanent changes would be subject to full public consultation which would happen next year.