CIVIC chiefs have revealed proposals to cut congestion on Southampton's roads by creating a mass transit system using trams or a light railway.

Senior members of the city council are also studying ways to give buses greater priority as well as enabling more freight to travel by rail.

Southampton Water could also play a bigger role in the city's transport network.

The ideas were outlined at the weekend by Jeremy Moulton, deputy leader of the city council and cabinet member for growth.

Posting on social media Cllr Moulton said: "We will continue to develop a safe network of cycle quietways but won't be removing lanes of traffic on main arterial routes as this is proven to cause congestion/pollution.

"We also intend to develop a mass transit solution which doesn't conflict with road use. This likely means light passenger rail and more freight on to rail.

"We have eight city stations so plenty of opportunities to increase frequency of local services and add new rail routes on existing track."

Cllr Moulton told the Daily Echo: "Southampton is a growing city.

"To deliver our growth agenda over the coming decades as well as support growth of the port, which will be further boosted by Freeport status, Southampton will need a transport network fit for the future.

"We hope to capitalise on the more proactive approach to rail we expect with the formation of Great British Rail, and also see some real opportunities to make greater use of existing rail track and our city stations.

"Studies by Solent Transport have shown if the frequency of local passenger rail can be increased this then makes it a really attractive alternative form of transport.

"This means increasing local services to at least every 30 minutes. We hope initially to progress this from Woolston station.

"I would also hope we could get the Northam branch line into the Eastern Docks electrified so we can move away from diesel trains, and perhaps see in the future passenger trains serving the docks and the Q2E and Ocean cruise terminals."

Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, added: "Using our existing infrastructure, such as rail and the city’s underused stations will help us move people quickly, efficiently and sustainably.

"This makes perfect sense and I have already started lobbying government.

"Water taxis have long been an aspiration and as Centenary Quay nears completion, and the Fawley Waterside across the water takes shape, I’m confident they will become a reality.”