A proposal has been put forward to extend a bus route via a hospital and business park.

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation into plans which would see the 324 bus service terminate in Elstree rather than in Stanmore.

The 324 bus currently runs between Brent Cross and Stanmore station - but TfL is exploring the option of extending the service from Stanmore station.

From Stanmore station, the route would continue along London Road before turning into Brockley Hill, taking in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, crossing the M1 and Watford bypass, before turning left into Centennial Avenue and terminating at tCentennial Business Park in Elstree.

TfL says extending the service would create new links to the hospital and business park from Stanmore, including those travelling via the Jubilee line.

The proposal is estimated to generate around 580 additional bus trips per day.

Ealing Times:

Proposed extension of route 324 map. Credit: TfL

One of the drawbacks listed in an equality impact assessment is extending the 324 service would mean northbound buses would no longer stop at Stanmore station forecourt - instead, passengers alight in London Road and would need to cross the road via a pedestrianised crossing.

This would affect around 150 passengers a day, the document states.

The route, operated by Metroline, would continue to run from Monday to Sunday and the frequency would remain the same, with a weekday service approximately every 20 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes in the evenings.

The frequency of the 107 bus route, which serves the hospital entrance from Edgware, would also remain unchanged. 

Geoff Hobbs, director of public transport service planning at TfL, said: "We hope that the proposed extension of route 324, which would provide better access to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, would make it easier for locals to access healthcare and get to work. 

"We look forward to hearing feedback from the community now that the consultation has launched."

Mark Masters, director of estates and facilities at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, said: "This is fantastic news for our patients, visitors and staff and we totally support this proposal."

People can have their say on this proposal by completing an online survey or emailing or writing to TfL.

The survey can be found at https://bit.ly/35gkRrK and must be completed by December 21.

Views can be expressed by emailing consultations@tfl.gov.uk or writing to Freepost TfL Consultations (324 bus).