A London bus route is to be extended to allow it to serve a hospital and a business park.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced the 324 route, which currently runs between Brent Cross and Stanmore station, will be extended and terminate at Centennial Park in Elstree from later this year.
The main reason for the extension is to provide improved public transport access to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Brockley Hill, on the outskirts of Stanmore.
TfL launched a public consultation towards the end of last year and following "overwhelming support", the proposed changes are to be actioned.
When the extension is introduced, route 324 will continue along London Road beyond its current terminus at Stanmore Station to Canons Corner, before turning left onto Brockley Hill. The route will serve the western entrance of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital before crossing the A41 and turning left into Centennial Avenue and terminating within Centennial Park.
In the direction of Brent Cross, buses will start within Centennial Park and follow the same route in reverse.
The route will continue to run from Monday to Sunday and the frequency will remain the same, with a 20 minute service during the daytime on Monday to Saturdays and every 30 minutes in the evenings, and all day on Sundays.
TfL expects the new bus route to come into force from late August or early September.
The transport body says the 324 extension will allow customers to benefit from new links to the hospital and business park, also improving connectivity with the Jubilee line in Stanmore.
More of Centennial Park will be served by the new 324 route with new bus stops to be installed.
Currently, both the hospital and business park are served by the 107 bus route, and this route will continue to run as normal.
Deputy mayor for transport, Heidi Alexander, said: "Following the overwhelmingly positive consultation feedback from local residents and stakeholders across the board, we are pleased to now confirm that we are proceeding with the planned extension to route 324.
"This will greatly improve transport links for patients and staff at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, and benefit those who work at Centennial Business Park as many make a return to the office."
As part of the 324 extension, northbound buses would no longer serve Stanmore station forecourt.
Customers changing for Stanmore station would need to cross London Road via the pedestrian crossing in order to access the station entrance.
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