Transport managers have defended plans for a park-and-ride scheme which critics claim will damage the environment.

Brighton and Hove City Council says a new scheme is one of its top priorities to tackle congestion.

Engineering specialist James Rhodes yesterday repeated a warning he first issued in The Argus that drinking water could be polluted if a park and ride goes ahead at Braypool or Patcham Court Farm.

Dr Rhodes has been invited by the council to take part in a study on the possible impacts of the scheme.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Detailed investigations are being carried out at the two sites to assess the environmental, traffic and visual impacts of a park and ride development.

"The investigations will consider water run-off and drainage, the effects on the capacity of the local drainage system, flood risks and potential water pollution from oil and petrol leakages from vehicles.

"Mitigation measures will be considered to reduce run-off, maintain groundwater levels through sustainable urban drainage systems and oil and petrol pollution control systems."

The decision on whether to proceed with the project at either of the two proposed sites is expected to be taken by the council's policy and resources committee in December.