A move to establish a direct bus link between Golders Green and Stamford Hill has stalled on cost grounds, to the disappointment of the Charedi community.

Response to a four-month study conducted by Transport for London watchdog London TravelWatch demonstrated “a very clear requirement for a bus service between the two places”.

However, TfL said this week that it could not afford it. “We have already considered requests for direct bus links between Stamford Hill and Golders Green, but could not justify the cost of introducing a direct service,” an official said. “Passengers can travel by bus between Stamford Hill and Golders Green with one change at Finsbury Park bus station.” The 210 double decker runs between Brent Cross and Finsbury Park.

In Stamford Hill, Agudas Israel Housing Association head Ita Symons voiced concern that the current arrangement left users to switch buses in a dangerous area. “People are greatly inconvenienced by having to change at Finsbury Park, which isn’t the safest place to stop at. I wouldn’t expect a new route to be implemented, just an extension of the 210 service.”

A spokesperson for Agudas Community Services in Golders Green expressed “disappointment that a good proposal doesn’t appear likely to be implemented”.

Pointing out that 1,400 residents had responded to its survey, London TravelWatch chair Sharon Grant urged TfL “to reconsider and investigate the provision of a bus service on a trial basis”.