Residents of Newbridge Hill say they have been forgotten as the proposal for a rapid bus route through Bath gathers pace.

Tied in with its controversial bus rapid transit (BRT) plan, Bath and North East Somerset Council wants to extend Newbridge Park and Ride.

But homeowners with gardens backing onto the land earmarked for the expansion say their quality of life will be ruined.

John Weston, who has lived in Newbridge for 40 years, said: "If the expansion is approved, the heritage city of Bath will soon have more cars parked within the valley of the River Avon, on the green and pleasant land at present enjoyed by visitors and its citizens.

"We must stop this ill-conceived proposal from ruining the lives of its citizens.

"We will fight this proposal with every emotional and rational argument ever conceived.

"A sea of cars on this very extensive and sensitive site is completely unacceptable.

"There are other sites that would be far less intrusive and these should be considered."

Mr Weston said the existing car park was already plagued by boy racers at night.

Another resident, Richard Moore, said: "I am not convinced that these proposals or the entire project has been thoroughly thought through.

"It seems the entire project has been fast tracked to attract the multi-million pound central government hand-out."

As part of the £58 million Bath Transportation Package, the park-and-ride sites at Lansdown and Odd Down would also be expanded to double the current 2,000 spaces.