Campaign for all day 603 bus route

3:36pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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A petition bearing more than 200 signatures is appealing for an all-day bus service linking Muswell Hill and Hampstead.

The 603 bus route from Muswell Hill Broadway to Swiss Cottage Station operates only two journeys in each direction on weekdays, in the morning and afternoon.

It was introduced in January 2004, following demand for a school-time service in the area, and there are now calls to extend the operating hours to cover the whole day.

Bus Watch West Haringey, which represents bus users in the area, has collected 225 signatures in support of the move and is calling on London Buses to take swift action.

The group's secretary, Chris Barker, said: "Campaigners have been pressing for this vital east-west link for years. It's particularly important to help the large number of people who have to get to the Royal Free Hospital, a journey which, at the moment, requires at least two changes.

"London Buses is now consulting on the future of the route but refuses to consider extending its hours of operation. We must make it change its mind on this."

Councillor Martin Newton, Liberal Democrat transport and traffic spokesman, said his party had campaigned for four years for a full bus service.

"Lynne Featherstone and I will keep up the hard work to put pressure on Transport for London to provide this. The Lib Dem mayoral candidate pledged to run a full all-day service. Let's see whether the new Mayor has taken notice," he said.

A TfL spokeswoman confirmed the petition had been received and pledged to continue working with Haringey Council and passenger groups to better understand the area's bus needs.

But she was unable to say whether the extended service would be considered.