OPPOSITION is growing to a new park-and-ride site because of fears it will spoil views of the Malverns.

The site on the east of Worcester is next to the RNIB New College - and the principal is also worried that an increase in traffic noise will spoil pupils' concentration levels.

It is one of two new park-and-ride schemes recommended by the county council's director of environmental services, Richard Wigginton. The other is near the Bransford Road roundabout, west of the city.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet will consider the sites when it meets on Monday.

But the eastern site is opposed by city council officers and councillors.

The city's director of development services, Stuart McNidder, said the area would be inappropriate because of the impact on the view of Malvern Hills and because the route into town, down London Road, was unsuitable.

"The road is so tight in so many places that it wouldn't give any significant advantages for buses on that route," he said. "We thought they should consider the other way on the Newtown Road route."

Nicholas Ratcliffe, principal of the RNIB New College, commented: "We are concerned that it will bring extra traffic to the area."

Coun Mike Layland said he was concerned about the direction of the bus service.

"If it doesn't go down London Road, how will it go down Newtown Road?" he asked.

The county council hopes to submit a planning application for the eastern site in the summer.

"With careful design of the park-and-ride site, there is a unique opportunity to protect the views to the Malvern Hills and provide a panoramic viewpoint at the gateway to the city," said Mr Wigginton.

The proposal for the western site will go to planning application stage if accepted by councillors.