This was necessary as the intention of the Northern Heights project was that trains would be able to run south from East Finchley to Highgate via both the surface and the underground routes.

Maintenance works and reconstruction of war damage on the existing network had the greatest call on London Underground funds.

Funds for new works were severely limited and priority was given to the completion of the western and eastern extensions of the Central line to West Ruislip, Epping and Hainault.

[24] Despite being shown as under construction on underground maps as late as 1950,[n 8] work never restarted on the unimplemented parts of the Northern Heights project.

[29][n 9] British Railways (the successor to the LNER) freight trains continued to serve the station's goods yard until 1 October 1962, when it was closed.

The imposing station building, built on rising ground adjacent to the railway bridge over High Road (A1000), has three entrances.

[35] A strong feature of the station is the semi-circular glazed stairways leading to the enclosed bridge over the tracks occupied by staff offices.

[36][n 12] The archer is intended to commemorate Finchley's ancient association with hunting in the nearby Royal Forest of Enfield.