AUTOMATED cars on overhead tracks are being recommended as a serious – and unique – answer to Medway’s transport problems.

The sci-fi concept is straight out of TV’s Futurama cartoon series but it is a real prospect for Medway in the near future.

It would operate to work, school, home or leisure venues. Passengers would decide where they wanted to go and the vehicle would then work out the best route.

It was unveiled at a transport conference that coincided with the anniversary of the demise of Medway’s tram system.

Transport expert Malcolm Buchanan told delegates at the Shaping Medway’s Transport Future held in The Historic Dockyard: "We think you should take it seriously."

Mr Buchanan is the head of the Colin Buchanan consultancy, which is working on Medway’s regeneration.

"It could be uniquely suitable for the Medway Towns."

The system is called ULTra and much of it would operate on overhead concrete tracks.

One at Heathrow’s new Terminal Five could be operating in two years between the terminal and the car parks and Medway could become the first towns to have ULTra.

Mr Buchanan said they had explored linking the various regeneration sites with Medway’s existing stations.

ULTra will take people to their destination at 40 kph.

"If one could build it and it worked as the inventors say it will, it will beat the car," Mr Buchanan said. The company is working on the plan to develop the new township on the site of Chattenden Barracks.