New bus stop trial for Highgate residents

Muswell Hill is getting set for a new trial bus stop to offer easier access to and from the Broadway.

For a six month trial period, the W7 will start its journey towards Crouch End and Finsbury Park from outside Boots Chemist, on the north side of the roundabout.

The new stop will offer passengers level access to buses and remove the need to walk down the slope of Muswell Hill to catch the W7. It comes after access problems were highlighted following the opening of Hornsey Health Centre in Park Road, with some elderly and disabled residents finding it difficult to get to their GP on public transport.

The trial stop will only serve the southbound route W7, which stops at the Health Centre. The six-month trial will assess whether it is safe and practical for the W7 to operate from the new stop permanently. The bus stop for the 144 will not change at the moment.

Cllr Nilgun Canver, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "I hope this trial is successful. We have been keen to address the access problems for a long time but safety concerns must be fully considered. We have looked for alternatives to moving the bus stop to this location but none were feasible. This trial is the best way of checking whether a permanent new stop is possible, but we will be mindful of the safety concerns of both drivers and pedestrians. The trial will end early if any serious safety issues are identified."

The trial, in partnership with TfL, begins on 10 November with road works at the junction between Dukes Ave and Muswell Hill beginning on 29 October for five days.

To comment on the trial email frontline.consultation@haringey.gov.uk