MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, has welcomed reports that Hertsmere Council will provide funding to restore a bus service between Potters Bar and High Barnet. This route was previously served by the 84 but was discontinued last year after its operator, Metroline, decided it was not commercially viable.
The Barnet MP has been working with local residents to try to bring back this service. Responding to the announcement by Hertsmere, Theresa said, "It is very encouraging that Hertsmere Council is saying they can fund a bus service between Potters Bar and Barnet. That is what I have been campaigning for."
"If this is confirmed, it will be great news for my constituents who have been fighting to bring back the lost services. Discontinuing the route to Barnet has been causing serious hassle and disruption for my constituents. A big problem has been that it has become more difficult for people to get to Barnet Hospital and to the Moorfields Hospital unit in Potters Bar."
"There may well be some further hurdles to be got over before we can be confident that the 84 service from Potters Bar to Barnet is definitely on the way back. I will continue to do all I can to make sure that happens."
As part of her campaign to restore the bus service, Theresa has been in contact with a range of organisations including TfL, Barnet Council, Sullivan Buses, Hertfordshire County Council, and the Department for Transport, appealing them to find a solution to get the bus back. She attended protest in April, and recently met Bus Minister, Richard Holden, and secured a promise that he would intervene to try to find a way to restore the route.