Cross-Forth hovercraft plan wins European funding
European funding has been secured for a cross-Forth hovercraft passenger service.
The Kirkcaldy hovercraft trial in 2007.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 17.06.10
- Published online : 17.06.10 @ 09.39am
Stagecoach hopes to have a passenger service between Kirkcaldy and Portobello running over the next few years.
This follows a trial in the summer of 2007, which saw more than 32,000 passengers make the crossing in the space of a fortnight.
While public sector funding is still sought, SEStran and Stagecoach have been successful in a bid for over £200,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The project is one of three to benefit from a total of £902,000 awarded over three years, aimed at stimulating inter-regional co-operation.
Planning applications for terminals at Kirkcaldy and Portobello have already been submitted and the councillors of both parties are expected to decide upon these this year.
A spokesman for Stagecoach Group said, "It is a further positive step forward in supporting the business case for the hovercraft and making a cross-Forth link a reality.
"We are continuing to progress with Fife Council and City of Edinburgh Council the planning applications associated with the proposals, which are key milestones in getting a service on the water."
A private funding package of £14 million has already been put forward by those behind the initiative -- £7 million from Stagecoach itself and £7 million from Gibraltarian hovercraft manufacturer Bland Group, but further funding from a variety of other sources is still likely to be required.
The hovercraft support falls under the I-Transfer project, which aims to improve ferry services across European rivers, estuaries and fjords.
As well as the Forth hovercraft plan, beneficiaries include Gravesham in England, Bremerhaven in Germany and Harlingen in the Netherlands.
Photos used under the Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr users treefell and duncan.
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