PLANS to put kerbstones on a stretch of road will turn the area into an "urban park", according to disgruntled Malvern Hills Conservators.

Malvern Hills Highways Partnership is to put kerbing on Peachfield Road to the east of the railway bridge, land which the Conservators own.

The kerbing is to stop erosion at the side of the road, caused by traffic pulling on to the adjacent common.

However, at the last meeting of the Conservators' management board, several members expressed deep reservations over the move.

"This is a rural area and we're ruining it by kerbing it. It's going to look appalling," said Sue Thetford.

Her views were echoed by Roger Hall-Jones, who said it would turn the area into an urban park.

Director Ian Rowat said that, ultimately, the presence of kerbing would benefit the common. At present, traffic is deterred by the use of large stones on the edge of the common.

"The management issues there have been causing problems," said Mr Rowat. "I don't think we can keep moving stones in a Neanderthal way and I don't recommend that we put stones down as a way of stopping traffic."

The work is due to be done in the summer.