A proposal to scrap a bus route which links Golders Green to the JW3 centre in Finchley Road has been criticised by communal chiefs.

Transport for London has run a public consultation, closing this Friday, over dropping the number 13 bus, along with its nocturnal equivalent, the N13. To soften the blow, TfL has suggested making the 82, which covers the same route, a 24-hour service. But its frequency would not be increased.

JW3 chief executive Ray Simonson described the 13 as "a vital link for the Jewish community of Golders Green to JW3." The service was "critical in ensuring that all sorts of people - including the elderly, and parents with babies and very young children in buggies - can easily get to and from their community centre".

The London Jewish Forum pointed out that "removing a route without increasing capacity isn't a great move". It was at least a positive that TfL was consulting the public over the proposal.

A JW3 spokesperson also outlined problems the move would cause for those who used to attend the London Jewish Cultural Centre in Golders Green, which has merged with JW3.

As the plans stood, "it's going to have a serious impact. It will slow down the time it will take to get here, because there will be fewer buses and those which do come will be busier."

TfL's head of consultations, Peter Bradley, has raised the prospect of extending the 139 route, which currently terminates in West Hampstead. "We constantly monitor and adjust according to changing demand."