Fife Council expected to deliver blow to hopes of cross-Forth hovercraft service
Kirkcaldy's proposed hovercraft link to Edinburgh is to be dealt a major blow next week.
Beached — a hovercraft during the pilot project.
- By Aileen Robertson
- Published in the Courier : 22.01.11
- Published online : 22.01.11 @ 08.00am
Fife Council is expected to call a halt to its efforts to attract potential operators for the project when the environment, enterprise and transport committee meets.
A lack of interest from ferry companies and a requirement for regular public subsidies in a time of austerity has meant the link, which would have provided a cross-Forth service from Kirkcaldy to Portobello, has failed to become a reality after it was trialled in the summer of 2007.
If the committee agrees a recommendation to suspend the procurement process, the decision could have an impact on town developments.
The old Stagecoach depot at the west end of Kirkcaldy Esplanade had been earmarked as a potential hovercraft terminal and the link formed part of plans to regenerate the Invertiel area.
It was hoped the hovercraft would boost tourism and business.
Despite the setback, Stagecoach, who carried out the 2007 trial with funding from South East of Scotland Transport Partnership, said yesterday the hovercraft service was not dead in the water.
A Stagecoach Group spokesman said it was still keen to be involved in providing bus links and infrastructure for a future service.
Challenging
He said, "We are very much aware of the current challenging environment in terms of both the economy and public finances.
"We have been consistently supportive of both a ferry and a hovercraft as a potential cross-Forth public transport solution and still believe there is a future for a sustainable sea-based link in the long term.
"We are continuing to progress our planning applications with Fife Council and City of Edinburgh Council for landing and passenger facilities on both sides of the Forth in connection with a potential hovercraft link.
"This is a key first step in the project and a number of other factors would have to be considered before we reached the stage of any passenger service being launched.
"After the planning process is completed, we would be in a position to reappraise the business case for a cross-Forth link.
"This would take account of the prevailing operational costs, the investment required for craft, re-evaluation of consumer demand, as well as the current and projected economic conditions and available public support for the project.
"In the meantime, we remain supportive of any steps to establish a cross-Forth ferry link and, as a major bus operator, would be happy to assist in providing bus links for such a service."
Setting up the infrastructure required to launch the service would take an initial £6 million.
The transport services report to be considered by the committee says Fife Council had set aside £1 million from its capital budget to help get the project started up, but City of Edinburgh Council would not have been able to match the funding.
The councils are willing to give non-financial assistance to help establish the link.
The report said, "From the low number of responses received from potential operators there does not appear to be a great deal of interest in operating a cross-Forth passenger vessel service, particularly during this economically challenging period."
A spokesman for City of Edinburgh Council echoed that, adding, "Should a commercial operator show interest in running a service in future, we would work closely with Fife Council to offer all reasonable non-financial assistance."
09.19am - 22.01.2011 Ronald Yeoman - Cardenden, Lochgelly, United Kingdom Report This
Thanks goodness that Fife will not be lumbered with a white elephant like the Edinburgh Trams. <br />They did a test run during the school holidays when the kids dragged Gran and Granda to take them on a hovercraft and then the vanity politicians pronounced the trial a success. No winter runs. Good news
11.08am - 22.01.2011 Daz Hales - Koblenz, Germany Report This
I was always of the opinion that a hovercraft service should run along the Tay. Operating from Perth to Dundee and Broughty, calling on both sides of the river would be a fast taxi service and good for tourism. <br />
10.03am - 24.01.2011 Muscleguy - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
A water taxi service on the Tay would be a non starter. The water taxi service in London has long been in a parlous financial state and had to axe services and routes. There isn't the population density to support such a service. Also the tidal nature of the Tay would require long piers.
01.28pm - 24.01.2011 Daz Hales - Koblenz, Germany Report This
I believe the London water taxi is based on Hydrofoil technology. A Hovercraft service is far more flexible in useage and operations. They don`t need piers, just an area of flat land to sit on! I`m sure the daily commute twixt Perth and Dundee might be less precarious especially at peak times.
05.36pm - 24.01.2011 Mr Yosof Ewing - Kirkcaldy, United Kingdom Report This
You cannot compare the Trams with this. Dunfermline is a prosperous place right now because of the M90. Kirkcaldy is on the decline. I believe that the Hovercraft can become our M90 and will bring welcome footfall and much needed retail and tourism money to our shore.
11.46am - 26.01.2011 Eoin Ryan - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
If Mr Soutar and his multi millions cannot make this pay, who can! <br />White elephant is right. I the councils do flood the project with money and it then closes down, who wuill get the blame? The councils, not Mr Soutar. If there are profits to be made, let them at it, but not at our expence!
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