London Transport
Country Area Routes 304–309

North of the Thames

Last updated 09-06-08.

Route 304 ran between St. Albans (Hill End) and Hitchin (St. Mary’s Square) via Sandridge, Wheathampstead, Gustardwood, Blackmore End, Kimpton, Whitwell, St. Paul’s Walden, Chapelfoot and St. Ippolytts. Some journeys were extended south to Colney Street to serve the Handley Page ærodrome. In the 1960s the St. Albans terminus was moved to City Station. The 304 is one of the few routes—in operation today with Centrebus—which still follows much of the same roads it served all those years ago. The southern terminus nowadays is Welham Green, with a schoolday extension to Potters Bar.
304
 This “E” plate is notable for being a SPECIAL JOURNEYS ONLY plate, which means it would have been produced for a stop along a less-frequently-served section of route; in this case to Colney Street. → 304 SPECIAL JOURNEYS ONLY
305
 305
 305 FARE STAGE
305 HIGH WYCOMBE VIA CHALFONT

Route 305 ran from Uxbridge Station to Beaconsfield following a pretty route through Denham, Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St. Peter, Chalfont St. Giles and Seer Green. In the early 1960s it was extended from Beaconsfield to High Wycombe via Holtspur, Loudwater Turn and Wycombe Marsh. From 1974 some journeys diverged at Chalfont St. Peter to run to Chalfont Common, replacing the 305A service; however, this was discontinued in 1977. In 1976 journeys were added between Beaconsfield and Jordans Village via Seer Green. In 1979 additional service was added between Beaconsfield and Penn via Knotty Green, replacing a portion of route 363.

← This “E” plate was obtained from Amersham Garage, but is believed to have been displayed at the Uxbridge Underground terminus.

Route 305A ran between Gerrards Cross and Horn Hill via Chalfont St. Peter and Chalfont Common. In the early 1960s it was extended from Gerrards Cross to Uxbridge Station via Denham. Like so many of the Country Area routes, it was an early casualty around the time that London Country took over, being replaced in 1974 by special journeys on the regular 305.
305A
It is unusual for the suffix letter to be so close to the route number.		 305A
 305A
As can be seen, there is some damage to enamel of this “E” plate. Green vinyl numbers are affixed to its rear so it could be re-used on route 727.
305A FARE STAGE
 305A SATURDAY
 ← routemaster105 writes: “I can tell the story of this plate. As a lad I lived in Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks. Back during the 1960s the 305A on Saturday afternoons made extended journeys from Chalfont Common to Horn Hill Church; a few miles further on where there was a small settlement. The RTs had to do a three-point turn at the junction by the church. Sadly, the service was not well used (Where have we herd that before?) and I actually witnessed the stops being removed by a gang of lads from Amersham Garage and I asked for one of the plates, which was duly forthcoming. I was told that only a few of these [Saturday] plates were ever made. I havn’t seen another one… but value is in the eye of the beholder!”
306 306 - 306A

Route 306 ran between New Barnet Station and Leavesden (Ganders Ash) via Barnet, Arkley, Borehamwood, Elstree, Bushey Heath, Bushey and Watford. During rush hours some journeys ran to Leavesden Works instead of Ganders Ash. The Sunday service ran only between Borehamwood and Leavesden. In 1976 the route was extended from Leavesden to Garston (Bus Garage), but withdrawn between Borehamwood (Ripon Way) and New Barnet. In 1978 the Borehamwood terminus was changed to Stirling Corner. The 306 was operated with RTs from Garston Garage [GR] until converted to long (RML) Routemasters in 1966.

Route 306A is described below.

In the 1960s the 306A was a very rare route to see, and no doubt split “E” plates containing the number are equally rare.

Route 306A began running in about 1960, providing just two (reduced to one in about 1970) Monday-to-Friday northbound morning journeys between Borehamwood and Watford via Elstree, Little Bushey and Bushey. During rush hours some journeys ran to Leavesden Works instead of Ganders Ash. By 1973 it was extended from Borehamwood to New Barnet and from Watford to Leavesden over the same routeing as the 306, except for continuing to run via Little Bushey instead of Bushey Heath. The route was withdrawn in 1976.

 306A
307 307 FARE STAGE

Route 307 ran on Mondays to Saturdays between Hemel Hempstead Station and Harpenden (Masefield Road) via Moor End, Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, Cupid Green, Lybury Lane and Redbourn.

Route 308 ran from Hertford to Goffs Oak via Horns Mill, Bayford and Cuffley Station.

 308 CUFFLEY
309

Route 309 was a relatively infrequent route between Chorleywood and Harefield via Herongate Lane, Mill End, Rickmansworth, Woodcock Hill and Shrubs Corner. Over the years the route hardly changed at all which accounts for the weathering, and this plate is exceptionally old.

My guess is that this plate came from Rickmansworth Station where the one-way roads meant buses ran in both directions past certain stops. This is no doubt a rare “E” plate for this rural route, as there would have been few plates at other stops, especially destinated ones.
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