Work on controversial bus lane “paused”.

Hundreds of local neighbours opposed the proposal on Regents Park Road, writes Rebecca Pattni. Following concerns by local residents and politicians, Barnet Council “paused” a bus lane in Finchley.

The council’s decision to make the plan at Regents Park Road permanent in January of this year prompted over 350 local residents to form a WhatsApp group to voice their opposition.

While the council claims the scheme was implemented to “improve bus journey times for 13, 125, 221 and 460 bus routes,” which aligns with its long-term transport strategy of creating a “Net Zero borough by 2042,” many residents were concerned about the lane’s potential safety and congestion issues.

Finchley Church End Conservative councillors Jennifer Grocock and Josh Mastin-Lee told the Barnet Post that local residents were having “great difficulties” entering side roads, adding that “people who aren’t local, they’re not sure whether it’s live or not.”

They stated that the initiative was part of a “active campaign to make driving as painful, expensive, and difficult as possible”.

The councillors also expressed reservations about the quality of the council’s consultation, stating that based on their own consultation, they believed residents wanted “the entire scheme removed back to normal.” Residents also approached Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman about removing the bus lane.

When asked about her role, she told the Barnet Post, “My caseworkers met with residents right away to see firsthand the issues they were raising.”

They informed me of the challenges posed by limited roads, spaces between parked automobiles, and traffic islands.

“My staff and I addressed their concerns. I urged that the Council re-examine the safety of these measures and reconsider the basis for these projects.

With the help of campaigners, councillors, and my office, we were able to halt the second phase of construction and obtain a review of the first phase.” As a result of the pressure, Barnet Council has agreed to reconsider the project.

A spokeswoman stated: “Following resident criticism, work on the new bus lane on Regents Park Road has been stopped while we conduct a thorough evaluation.

The study will be comprehensive, focussing on all aspects of the project, including but not limited to safety, line markings, and parking spots.

“Once all the information of the review is collected it will be assessed by Barnet Council and TfL officers, and the outcome shared with residents.”

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