Details of the new route between Barnet and Potters Bar will be announced following a tender process reports Will Durrant, Local Democracy Reporter

A bus stop with the sign: "Please note: The Bus Stop is not currently served by any local passenger buses" following cuts to 84 bus route between Barnet and Potters — – (Credit – Will Durrant/LDRS)

Two towns just three miles apart will be united by a bus route after more than a year without their connection.

Number 84 had bridged the gap between Hertfordshire and north London for 110 years when parts of the route were axed, in spring 2022.

Since then, Potters Bar and Barnet have been left without a bus link, leaving passengers either side of the Greater London border with questions about whether they can get to work or see their family members.

But Hertsmere Borough Council has now said it will break a funding deadlock, with plans for a new route which could be up and running as soon as September this year.

According to Cllr Nik Oakley (Lab, Borehamwood Kenilworth), executive member for transport in Hertsmere borough, said the new service would take in Potters Bar Community Hospital, which is home to a Moorfields Eye Hospital unit and has been left without public transport for more than a year.

It would also taken in Barnet Hospital and High Barnet London Underground station on the Northern line.

Cllr Oakley said: “Having previously worked on the ‘Save the 84’ campaign, I was fully aware of the issues and once in post I worked quickly on the route and the timetable and met with representatives of the group.

“The county council integrated transport unit has finalised the timetable for us and I have asked them to put the route out to tender, so that we can get the service up and running for September and the new academic year.”

Cllr Oakley added restoring a bus between Potters Bar and Barnet was one of her party’s election pledges last month.

“We are doing exactly that,” she said.

The budget for a new bus remains under wraps while the tender process takes place, because the price is likely to be a part of commercial negotiations.

Councillors in Hertsmere have previously discussed whether the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – a charge on developers – could fund a bus.

Before the May 2023 elections, then-leader of Hertsmere Borough Council Cllr Morris Bright (Con, Elstree) did not rule out using CIL funding for public transport connections.

He said a bus – even one outside of Hertsmere or Hertfordshire – could count as community infrastructure.

“However, it would need to clearly demonstrate that it would support the development of Hertsmere, and this would need to be assessed by Hertsmere officers and [a] panel,” he said.

“Such a provision would inevitably require contributions from all relevant local authorities towards the provision on a match-funding basis.”

Cllr Bright suggested CIL funding for buses would be “time-limited”.

County councillor John Graham (Con, Potters Bar East) said he welcomed funding for a new connection.

He said: “A bus route is acutely needed by people in Potters Bar, particularly people who need to go to hospital.”

The 84 had historically been a London bus, but a private firm ran the service when the route was cut back.

Hertfordshire County Council stepped in to support the 84 between Potters Bar and St Albans.

This left a gap in the network between Hertfordshire and Barnet.

If Hertsmere wants plug that gap, it will need a London Service Permit from TfL.

A TfL spokesperson said: “TfL is open to considering a London Service Permit for a bus route that would operate within the Greater London boundary, once a contract has been awarded to an operator.”

Residents and cross-party politicians waged a campaign to restore the route, supported by Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, and the Labour leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark (Borehamwood Cowley Hill).

Earlier this year, more than 900 people signed a letter to TfL and Hertfordshire County Council – the two transport authorities – calling for action “as a matter of urgency”.

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said: “After the commercial operator of the 84 bus route withdrew due to unprofitability of the service the county council stepped in and invested £60,000 per annum, which now supports the in-county part of the original 84 route.

“We have always been clear that we would consider additional funding to support the out of county part of the old commercial route but only if TfL contributed.

“We remain in contact with TfL but to date they are clear that they will not provide any funding.

“We are aware of Hertsmere’s considerations and await the outcome of their discussions with TfL.

“While we have provided some timetable advice and estimated costs.

“We have not been asked to tender for an extended route.”

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