A "cynical" decision to press ahead with controversial changes to a bus route during the coronavirus crisis has sparked uproar from residents and politicians.

Transport for London (TfL) was accused of “sneaking out” changes to the 384 bus route, which currently runs between Cockfosters and Arkley, during the coronavirus lockdown.

The changes will see the 384 run from Cockfosters to Edgware but stop serving several streets in High Barnet – including Crescent Road, York Road, Longmore Avenue and Northfield Road.

But despite significant opposition to the plans – a consultation with nearly 1,400 responses revealed 54 per cent opposed them and 32 per cent were in favour – the transport body announced on Friday (April 24) they would go ahead unaltered.

Opponents warned the move would have a negative impact on elderly and disabled residents living in High Barnet, who would have to travel further to and from their homes in a hilly area.

Leah Schneider, who lives in Salisbury Road, said the decision to press ahead with the changes was a “complete betrayal of trust and disregard for the local community”.

She said: “They promised a new public meeting to discuss the issues further, and then this – it is going ahead, with no other public engagement.

“They quite literally changed nothing in it, after we raised all these issues. It is absolutely disgusting.”

Ms Schneider said she had opposed rerouting the 384 down Salisbury Road due to safety concerns, as parked vehicles mean cars often have to reverse back down the road to allow others to pass.

Joshua Yates, who used to live in Wentworth Road, said the 384 was a “lifeline” to people in the surrounding area. He only found out the changes were going ahead when he checked the consultation page.

“It disgusted me,” he said. “It was announced while we are living in one of the worst health emergencies and we are not going to be paying attention – our priorities are elsewhere. It is very cynical.

“Extending the route should not come at the cost of depriving people who have been depending on the bus for ages. They promised us a public meeting before they would make any of these changes.”

TfL’s move was immediately condemned by local politicians on the left and right of the spectrum.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said: “Sneaking this news out during the worst health emergency for decades is a disgrace.

“The Mayor and TfL should feel ashamed of themselves. The 384 bus route is a lifeline for many elderly residents who very strongly oppose the changes which have now been given the green light. My constituents will feel massively let down that their concerns have been ignored.

“This is yet another demonstration that the Mayor of London does not care about suburbs like Barnet.”

London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore said: “TfL’s decision is appalling. They have sneaked it in without informing anyone and without consulting further, given the assurances we obtained last year from them that they would not go ahead with the changes.

“There should have been proper notification, communications, and an opportunity for local people to be heard.”

Local Conservative and Labour councillors also opposed the changes.

TfL said alternative route revisions were considered following the consultation, but the original proposal was found to be the most efficient use of its resources.

It added that no public meeting was proposed because there were further reviews of the plans following local feedback.

Geoff Hobbs, director of public transport service planning at TfL, said: “The proposed extension to route 384 will improve connectivity for residents of Barnet, Enfield and Harrow. While we are aware there have been some concerns about the extension, we think the wider benefits make it the right thing to do.

“The changes will provide the first direct, cross-borough bus route between Edgware and Cockfosters via Mill Hill, High Barnet and New Barnet, and will provide a bus link for residents of Mill Hill and Edgware to both Barnet Hospital and the Jewish Community Secondary School.

“The route revisions form part of our commitment to growing the outer London bus network and provide better links between outer London town centres.”