Futuristic hydrogen-powered and wire-free trams could be the transport solution Bath has been looking for, a lobby group claims.

The Bath Area Trams Association chair Dave Andrews said the cutting edge technology could overcome many of the stumbling blocks for previous options – and it could be funded without a cost to the taxpayer.

He is in talks with an American firm, TIG/m, which has an international track record and could design, build and operate the system.

Early analysis shows a kilometre of track could be built for £7million, a fraction of the £25million needed for conventional heavy trams, although there would be significant sums on top for legal, engineering and planning work.

Mr Andrews said: "The overhead wire-free tram would be ideal for Bath where some heritage groups have naturally questioned their suitability, and because the tram is considerably lighter than a normal tram the concrete slab on which the tracks are laid will protect the precious Bath vaults from any further damage by existing heavy road vehicles."

He said the talks are at an early stage and traditional heavy European-style trams may yet prove to be the most suitable, but added: "Given that this proposal offers to be dramatically lower in cost, avoids overhead wires which many people object to, and faster to install than the alternative approaches we need to look closely at this option, and hope that the West of England Combined Authority and its consultants WSP will also."

Mr Andrews said the new infrastructure could significantly reduce congestion and pollution and regenerate the city.

Tenbroeke Engineering founder Sherman Havens, who is also working on the project, said once permission is granted the network could be built in three years, and it could be funded by private capital.

A 2017 study by Bath and North East Somerset Council found that there were "no show stoppers" to prevent the introduction of "some form of light-rail tram system" in Bath.