MEDWAY could finally take its place alongside the great cities of Britain if a new partnership succeeds in reviving some of the most derelict areas.

The Medway Renaissance Partnership has been proposed by Judith Armitt, Medway Council's chief executive. It is a way of overcoming the lack of funds in the area to revive enormous areas of the riverfront for homes and jobs.

The proposals involve regenerating the north shore of the Medway from the motorway to Strood, and the south bank from Rochester Castle to Gillingham Strand. The Isle of Grain's massive disused oil terminal and the Chattenden and Lodge Hill areas are also earmarked for development.

The partnership will be responsible for securing:

* A new public transport system including for CTRL domestic trains an hour from Chatham to London

* A civic centre in Chatham

* A regional cultural centre

* A School of Medicine at the Universities of Medway campus.

* Teaching hospital status for Medway Maritime Hospital.

The funds would come from central government in partnership with the council.

"Medway has often been regarded as a place where you can dump London's problems,"" said Cllr Howard Doe, welcoming the proposals at last night's Cabinet meeting in Strood. "It has a tremendous amount to offer and it is about time we banged the drum very loudly with government."

Cllr Doe added: "What is so encouraging about the partnership is that it offers a blueprint to government for a sympathetic development of the Thames Gateway in a way which local people with feel happy with."