The More Things Change... The More They Stay The Same...

London Bus Route of the Week 7: Route 240 Edgware to Golders Green?

Metroline Ltd Transport for London #bus #electric #integration

Connecting Edgware and Golders Green in North London, Route 240 is a model of suburban stability, more or less operating in the same format since 1934, though split into two sections (and sometimes a standalone route 240A) until 1966.?

At its introduction in 1934, it replaced an earlier 104 route. The precursor to the Northern line had reached Golders Green in 1907 and Edgware in 1924, but in contrast the transfer of services from rail to Underground to establish the present High Barnet branch didn’t occur until 1940.?

Edgware, which is set for massive change in the coming years, remains the end of the Northern line, with a part completed extension to Bushey Heath abandoned in World War Two. The present bus station, adjacent to the Underground station, dates from 1988 with the bus garage, used by Metroline and RATP Dev to the south. A much reduced bus interchange, underground electric bus garage and extensive residential development are planned, with much present objection in my home town.

Diesel double deck Enviro 400 buses from Metroline generally operate the route, however, in a perfect start to 2024, my first bus ride of the year saw London’s 1000th zero emission bus in use. On “secondment” for the day from Route 204, its overall mint green livery and high backed seating drew admiring glances from those inside and out. The journey begins with a turn into Station Road and a gradually ascent along Hale Lane to the summit at The Hale, the boundary of Edgware and Mill Hill. The Railway Tavern is here despite the nearest line being half a mile away. Continuing along Hale Lane, the route curves into Mill Hill Broadway to dip under the Midland Mainline and the M1, which is decidedly incongruous with the rest of Mill Hill but the removal of a low bridge meant a through double deck service could operate from 1966. A basic bus station offers easy interchange with the Thameslink station, which still lacks step-free access, but is only directly served by buses towards Edgware. After progressing along the Broadway, a typical suburban high street, the busy A1 is crossed at Mill Hill Circus.?

?At this point, the 240 then has a substantial section of route through Mill Hill Village to itself, with the exception of two school routes. The bus advances along the fringes of Mill Hill Park before a sharp turn up Hammers Lane, a very steep hill which the electric bus made light work of, and the site of the Cottage Homes for elderly residents. At the top of the hill is an unmistakably rural feel with riding stables, a pond, historic churches and Mill Hill school as well as brief vistas of the open fields towards Totteridge. The journey along The Ridgeway continues the feel of the countryside before the steep descent down Bittacy Hill, offering a fine panaramic view of London on a clear day. North of Mill Hill East is the substantial development of Millbrook Park, partly built on the former Inglis Barracks, with the station now boasting direct Northern line trains to central London and the installation of a step-free lift.?

Meandering through Holders Hill Road, the 240 serves Hendon Cemetery and a large high school in what is exclusively a residential area. Climbing into Hendon via the winding Parson Street, it meets the Superloop SL10 at Hendon Quadrant as it joins the 183 for the busy stretch into Golders Green. This includes the path through Hendon’s main shopping area in Brent Street before progressing along the trunk Golders Green Road corridor. Hence, its role as a vital connecting route to and from the Northern line at Golders Green, where the bus station has evolved over the years, has been a constant feature in its history.?