A BUSY bus route has been extended with the aim of easing congestion at a traffic hotspot.

The U2 bus route, which previously ran from Uxbridge bus depot in Bakers Road to Hillingdon Hospital, has been lengthened to run as far as Brunel University.

It will now terminate at a new bus stand on Kingston Lane, rather than its old destination at Pield Heath Road.

It is hoped that more students will use the bus, cutting down on use of cars, and transport links have been increased as the bus be the first to take them directly to Hillingdon Station.

Pat Page, who lives on Cleveland Road, said: "I think it is a good idea, students were always getting off at Hillingdon Hospital and had to walk from there down to the University."

Paul Thomas, resources and operations director at Brunel University, said: "The extension of the U2 bus to the university is good news for our students and staff as it provides a direct link to Long Lane and Hillingdon Station for the first time."

The university worked with TfL to secure the extension, and the U2 becomes the fifth route to serve the university, alongside the U1, U3, U4, and U7.