A vital bus route linking Potters Bar to Greater London is set to be restored next month thanks to council funding.

Hertsmere Borough Council agreed to spend £183,600 through the Community Infrastructure Levy to bring the 84 route back to the town for the next 12 months, with the decision made at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday night.

Starting from Monday, September 4, the 84B bus route will restore direct access to and from Potters Bar train station and Barnet Hospital for six days per week, providing a valuable link for residents.

Central Connect will run the new route after the previous operator cut the original 84 route in 2022, but Hertfordshire County Council stepped in to keep the route going between Potters Bar and St Albans.

"We’ve moved speedily to meet a key commitment made by our partnership administration to reverse this bus cut dating from 2022," said Cllr Jeremy Newmark, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council.

"Reliable, affordable and sustainable public transport is a key driver of wellbeing for local people. Our investment will connect communities across municipal boundaries. 

"We’ve taken a bold and innovative decision to use developer funding to support local transport infrastructure. I urge local people to support this route so that it remains sustainable in the future."

Cabinet member for planning, infrastructure and transport, Cllr Nik Oakley, added: "The withdrawal of the 84 bus link in 2022 between Potters Bar and Barnet caused great distress to many in our communities with several instances of children needing to move schools and NHS staff needing to pay for taxis. 

"Potters Bar residents without access to cars and public transport who need to use Barnet Hospital have been compelled to rely on taxis at a cost of £20 to £30 or a very lengthy journey involving two or three buses via Cockfosters.”

"We were committed to providing this service using CIL funds and we have expedited this very quickly, delivering the new route in time for the start of the school term and a new direct link to Barnet Hospital. I know that many in our local communities will be absolutely delighted by this decision."

Services are planned between 6.05am and end at 7.34pm from Monday to Friday, and between 7.25am and 7.34pm on Saturdays.

They would run between Potters Bar’s Thameslink station and Barnet Hospital.

They would call at the Potters Bar bus garage, Monken Hadley, Barnet High Street and High Barnet’s tube station – with Northern Line connections into Finchley, Camden Town, King’s Cross and south London.