BUCKINGHAMSHIRE County Council is objecting to plans for the £16billion CrossRail line between Maidenhead, London and the east of England, even though it backs the scheme in principle.

Members do not want to see Dog Kennel and Thorney Lane bridges in Iver, which were designed by engineering genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel, knocked down to make way for electrification of the existing line.

They are also worried about heavy lorries thundering though the south of the county carrying earth from the rail works.

The county council may have to spend about £40,000 objecting but says this is the best way to get its points across.

CrossRail will be discussed by a Commons select committee when MPs come back from their break.

At last month's council meeting, Cllr Rodney Royston, cabinet member for strategic planning, said CrossRail would give people in southern Bucks a more frequent rail service, even if it was a stopping service.

"One thing that concerns me is the movement and depositing of soil from this scheme. It could have a considerable effect on our communications network in the south."

Cllr Val Letheren, cabinet member for transport, said next April was the 200th anniversary of Brunel's birth and to have the bridges demolished was unnecessary, when they could be either raised or lowered. Some members said the line should go as far as Reading and that there should be a direct link to Heathrow.

CrossRail will enable south Buckinghamshire commuters who now commute to Paddington via Taplow, Burnham and Iver on the First Great Western line, to travel across London, on a new line in a tunnel under the centre of the capital.

They will be able to continue on to the West End and the city to new stations at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Whitechapel and Stratford, and to Liverpool Street, without the need to change to bus or Tube.

If they want to catch Eurostar to the continent the idea is that there will be a international station at Stratford.

The complete route is from Maidenhead to Paddington and after Whitechapel to either Shenfield or Abbey Wood in the east.

Work should begin in 2007 and trains start running in 2013.