Opposition politicians will next week attempt to put the brakes on a major programme of transport improvements for Bath.

Liberal Democrats say the ruling Tory administration at the Guildhall is "railroading" the Bath Transportation Package through in the teeth of objections.

Bath and North East Somerset Council chiefs say the package - which will cost between £54 million and £58 million - is the answer to the city's worsening congestion problems.

And it says the Government cash which will fund most of the work could be lost if there are any changes to the schemes involved which affect the overall cost of the package.

These include a new park and ride site at Bathampton, the expansion of existing sites at Odd Down, Newbridge and Lansdown, and the £16 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project running east-west across the city.

The location of the new park and ride site to serve the east of the city has been changed from Lambridge in a move the council says will actually save money.

Arguably the most contentious element in the package is the BRT - which would see a new dedicated route created along an old railway line at Newbridge.

Residents want that section scrapped and the council to look at using existing roads for the buses which will serve the route.

B&NES however says this would drive up the overall cost of the scheme - meaning it has to submit its application for Government funding all over again.

And it says the line of the BRT has been known about for eight years, and was rubberstamped by all parties when the B&NES Local Plan blueprint was agreed two years ago.

Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion to a full meeting of the council next Thursday calling for "a proper debate" on the subject.

It says the package is different to what was agreed through the local plan.

Cllr Caroline Roberts (Lib Dem, Newbridge) said: "It seems that the Conservative-run Cabinet is determined to railroad through the BRT and not to listen to any opposition.

"The way that this Conservative administration is running roughshod over local people is a disgrace. They feel it is perfectly acceptable to make changes to the proposed park and ride site to the east of Bath but refuse to countenance changes to the BRT route – despite the lack of proof of the benefits of the chosen route."

Cllr Andrew Furse (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) said: "It would appear the Conservatives are more interested in talking about who voted for what and when in the past, rather than looking at what is happening now.

"Cabinet members should accept that the Local Plan and Local Transport Plan upon which the council has previously voted do not reflect the current schemes for the Bath Transport Package."

Its motion says the package "should not go ahead without detailed analysis of the options and further consultation with residents".

In an question and answer session with the Chronicle this week, the council says it must get on with the package.

"Bath and North East Somerset Council is engaging with local residents across the district and the local communities affected by the £60 million of improvements to tackle congestion. The economic impact of failing to carry out the council's proposed transport improvements would be devastating in the long-term as businesses will simply relocate or be put off from investing in Bath without 21st century standard transport infrastructure for their employees.

"Without these measures the council will never be able to provide the transport infrastructure needed to develop a modern, sustainable economy for the future prosperity for the area."

It says using Lower Bristol Road for the BRT "would cost millions of pounds more, cause greater disruption, and would take longer than the proposed bus rapid transit route, undermining the council's plans to tackle congestion."

It adds: "The Government has confirmed adopting this route would require a resubmission of the business case and put at significant risk the entire £54 million package of improvements urgently needed to tackle traffic congestion in Bath."

The council is also stepping up its arguments in favour of the park and ride element of the package.

It says fewer than one in 20 cars coming into Bath during the morning rush hour represents through traffic.

"Without expanded park and ride capacity, the city will clog up with cars and harm the local economy as businesses simply will not be able to get their workers into Bath, or attract their customers."