The council wants to create 900 parking spaces on one of the sites

Brighton and Hove City council wants to create a car park with 900 spaces at one of two sites in the Patcham area.

An engineering expert fears petrol and oil may leak into water supplies as under both sites is an aquifer from which drinking water is extracted.

The council said the environmental impact of the plans would be part of further investigations of the sites.

Improved facilities

Dr James Rhodes, former Brighton University lecturer, said: "Because ground water is not stationary it comes through and the waterworks simply picks up what it can of the water passing by.

"If the water were to be polluted here in Patcham it could transfer to other aquifers further down the line."

A council spokesman said: "We are carrying out further investigations of two sites - Patcham Court Farm and Braypool Playing Fields - before a final decision is taken on a preferred site for park and ride.

"The study will consider the environmental impact of the proposals."

The spokesman said park and ride was part of the council's long term transport strategy.

This includes measures such as better management of parking, and improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.