Residents living in Oxford have been warned that a guided busway system could harm the environment.

The Guided Transport Express (GTE) would link Oxford railway station with the Redbridge and Peartree park-and-ride sites, using specially constructed concrete guideways built alongside the railway line through the city.

To reach the city centre, the buses would then travel normally on roads.

The scheme could be operating by 2008.

Similar busways already exist in Leeds and Bradford, in Yorkshire.

But, according to Labour city councillor Bob Price, part of the southern route would cause serious damage to Grandpont Nature Park, Hinksey Lake and Dean's Ham.

Mr Price, who represents Hinksey Park ward, told a city council meetingn on December 9: "I was surprised when I saw the plans for the route, which show the concrete tracks taking off on a concrete flyover from Pembroke College playing fields on the western side, then effectively destroying Grandpont Nature Park.

"These plans have not been displayed, and the notion that they are even being contemplated is deeply worrying."

Two fishing lakes near Hinksey Park would also be affected, he claimed.

Green city councillor Craig Simmons feared the environmental impact on the canal corridor in north Oxford.

In October, the GTE scheme received a £800,000 of development funding from the county council.

The project is expected to cost £36m.

City councillors agreed to continue supporting the GTE scheme.

They acknowledged that an environmental impact assessment would be undertaken, but recorded their "profound disquiet" at the draft plans for the southern route.

The council agreed to ask its representatives on the GTE board to try to secure changes to the route to avoid environmental damage.

Several organisations, including bus companies, the universities and the city council, have already pledged funds totalling £345,000.