PLANS to demolish a disused rail embankment so that a bus way can be built have enraged members of a local transport group.

High Wycombe Society's Transport Group say that use of the 9km High Wycombe to Bourne End Rail Link as a light railway could stamp out congestion across the district.

The loss of the embankment to build a new road for the bus way will mean substantial work will be needed if the link, which ceased operating in 1970, is ever reinstated for light rail.

The society has put together a report, with the help of prominent engineers, hoping to convince the county council to keep the embankment above Gordon Road, High Wycombe, in place.

Elsa Woodward, transport group leader of the High Wycombe Society, said she is baffled as to why county council officers are keen to destroy the embankment "unnecessarily" despite a submission by engineer Chris Wallis illustrating how a road for a busway could be accommodated without ruining the embankment.

"The proposed busway between High Wycombe station and London Road will cause problems for the buses, Gordon Road traffic and the embankment-such irreversible destruction should be unthinkable unless it guarantees more benefits to the town's already dire transport problems."

Council officers would need to remove the remains of a bridge adjacent to the embankment in order to connect the proposed bus way into the town centre.

Mrs Woodward said it was unnecessary to destroy the dismantled bridge over Gordon Road, built by Brunel in 1854.

"It would provide a clear, level route for both buses and light rail and allow Gordon Road traffic to pass unhindered underneath- and at a cost of over £1,000,000 cheaper than the proposed design."

Richard Burton, spokesman for Bucks County Council, said: "No final decisions have yet been made and we are still considering all of the options. We believe that providing a bus way for a bus/rail interchange will be of most benefit to people in Wycombe."

He said a public consultation is due later this year.