EUROPEAN cash could be pumped into developing the Fastrack luxury bus service promised for Dartford and Gravesend.

The system - set to revolutionise travel west of Medway - is being designed to take people out of their cars.

But so far the Kent Thameside Executive has found it difficult to raise the funds to develop it.

Work is already underway on road priorities for the computer-controlled buses between Gravesend and Northfleet and Dartford Civic Centre and Bluewater.

But the high quality system - expected to cost a fraction of the price of the proposed Medway Transit tram scheme concerning cash-strapped Medway councillors - has so far only attracted one company.

Pro Logis, which wants to develop an environmentally-friendly residential and business quarter in north Dartford, hopes to introduce 10 Fastrack buses on a new route linking its development with Bluewater, Dartford Civic Centre and the station by the end of next year.

Now the Kent Thameside Executive is to set up a Fastrack Implementation Group which will look for the development funds from a European Private Finance Initiative.

The group will be chaired by a member of the private sector, and will include someone appointed by John Prescott, who is taking a personal interest in the pathfinding proposal.

Alex King, KCC regeneration supremo, said the time for talk was now over. Kent Thameside had to start delivering, and he warned that Mr Prescott was impatient to see it moving ahead.

awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk