Changes which could cut bus arrival update boards from at least 11 of the Kilburn s stops were slammed by passengers. Cuts in the use of Countdown – the electronic arrival update boards – will be made from stops in Abbey Road, Belsize Road, Quex Road, Ki

Changes which could cut bus arrival update boards from at least 11 of the Kilburn's stops were slammed by passengers.

Cuts in the use of Countdown - the electronic arrival update boards - will be made from stops in Abbey Road, Belsize Road, Quex Road, Kilburn High Road and Cricklewood Broadway.

Transport for London (TfL) said the changes will mean an overall improvement to the service.

Virginia Berridge, of West Hampstead Amenity and Transport, criticised the proposed changes.

She said: "There has been a cutback but it seems the service will still be available in a more limited way than before. So that's a minus point, really."

Mrs Berridge added: "We're not very keen that TfL are constantly back-tracking on things like this."

Camden councillor James King said: "Kilburn is getting a really bad deal from these proposals. On top of the never ending Tube and train closures, this is another kick in the teeth from TfL for Kilburn."

Camden councillor Flick Rea said: "You need these notice boards and you need them especially at deserted bus stops. These changes go against what I've said is the use of Countdown."

She said that TfL 'haven't been as proactive as they might be in putting it in places where it's needed most'.

Cllr Rea's response to the consultation by TfL was: "When the route is infrequent or irregular and stops are isolated Countdown can be vital in deciding whether to wait in a state of some anxiety, or to walk.

"Somehow, they have the whole idea wrong!"

Setting up of the 2,500 new Countdown signs commences in spring 2011 and should be completed by summer 2012.

A TfL spokeswoman said no final decision was made on the changes and would not be until November.

She added that the changes were intended to improve the overall service, using new real-time technology.

She said: "We are working to get new signs and they'll be coming out next year. There will still be around the same number, but they will be even better."

But the spokeswoman conceded that some stops which have the notice boards may not have them in the future.

She said: "They're not necessarily going to be in the same locations.

"Some of these signs have been up for 20 years so we're using this as an opportunity to have a look at these stops and make a reassessment.