RIVER buses could make a splash on the Medway under plans to solve looming traffic congestion.

The idea for a Venice on Medway could see waterborne buses serving existing and new riverside housing districts.

Officials believe that transport will be a key issue in the years ahead as Medway’s population is set to grow by 50,000 to 300,000.

Traffic congestion in the area is already a serious issue and population growth will only make it worse.

Businesses thinking of moving into the area, or expanding their existing operations, may be deterred from doing so if they face major traffic problems.

So unusual new ways of moving people around are being examined by the respected Colin Buchanan consultancy.

Buchanan’s proposals to turn the River Medway into a commuter highway will be published in a study due for publication in February.

Laura Wren, of Medway Renaissance, said: “We’ve looked at whether there is a case for developing river services. It would require a big capital investment but the river is an under-used asset.”

Roger Davies, former Maidstone and District bus company chief and a consultant to Medway Renaissance, added: “The whole riverside development is building a market for using the river.

“It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment and we’re going to work towards enhancing it and making use of it.”

The study will also put the road bus at the heart of its plans for Medway.

Officials are working with Arriva, the bus company, to come up with ground-breaking solutions.

They say that existing services and Chatham bus station are a turn-off for many people who prefer their cars.

They have looked at role model bus services in towns such as Brighton, Nottingham and Dublin.

“Their philosophy is to make life difficult for the car,” said Mr Davies.

He urged the council to put public transport at the heart of its plans.

“Unless you have the transport infrastructure in first, it won’t work and you’re going to put off developers.

“We’ve got to put transport at the centre of all this because without it, the rest falls apart.”

Planners have an ally in Jenny Agutter, the actress and former child star of The Railway Children.

She is involved in Transport 2000 and has taken part in a video promoting public transport in Medway.