By Dave Lord

PLANS FOR a hovercraft crossing linking Fife and Edinburgh have been put on hold for at least another six months.

Perth transport group Stagecoach had been looking forward to carrying out a trial of the 130-passenger craft within the next few weeks but are blaming Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) for a “painfully slow” environmental approval process.

Despite the “frustrating” delays, the company insists it remains “fully committed” to establishing the Kirkcaldy to Portobello link.

The Courier understands the firm has spent thousands of pounds on a detailed environmental impact study on the Firth of Forth, as required under EU and UK legislation. It has also met SNH and supplied “extensive” bird life data.

Despite such moves, Stagecoach insists it has been hampered by SNH officials who have demanded more information—effectively meaning a trial cannot be held until spring or summer 2007 at the earliest.

“We are extremely frustrated at the delay in carrying out the hovercraft trial,” said a spokesman.

“It has been caused by a painfully slow environmental approval process. Because of these issues, the time window for a trial this year cannot be met.

“Stagecoach has always taken its environmental responsibilities very seriously and we have a good track record of delivering sustainable public transport services.”

The spokesman insisted there was already widespread support for the proposed link.

“The technology we are hoping to use is already proven in the UK and United States, with no impact on wildlife and the local environment,” he said.

“There is a broad consensus that a cross-Forth link can deliver significant transport, economic and social inclusion benefits and we have had huge support for the project from politicians and the local community.”

The Stagecoach spokesman continued, “It is very disappointing that local people in Fife and Edinburgh, as well as tourists visiting Scotland, will have to wait longer to see this innovative service become a reality because of factors outside our control,” he said.

“Scottish-based marine consultant Alistair Macleod has carried out detailed exploratory work on the hovercraft plans on behalf of Stagecoach.

“Extensive discussions have taken place with nearly a dozen public and statutory bodies over the past four months in an effort to get the trial under way.”

Despite the delay, Stagecoach officials insist they are still committed to the project.

“We remain fully committed to getting a hovercraft on the water as soon as possible to give people a chance to see what benefits this technology could bring to the region’s public transport system and economy,” the spokesman added.

Stagecoach has earmarked the 28-metre BHT130 hovercraft for the trial. It is manufactured by Hoverwork Limited, Isle of Wight, and incorporates the latest diesel engine technology.

The company anticipates a crossing time between Kirkcaldy and Portobello of approximately 20 minutes.

The craft, with normal operating speeds of around 35 knots, could run in sea conditions with waves of up to two metres.

Stagecoach estimates that running a two-craft operation would cost approximately £2 million a year and claims around 9000 passengers a week—up to 470,000 a year—would use the service.

While the service would require initial public investment, Stagecoach believes that within a few years passenger volumes could grow to make it commercially sustainable.

Iain Rennick, area manager for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in Forth and Borders, said, “The idea that SNH has caused a delay in the launch of a hovercraft service on the Firth of Forth is nonsense. As with any new project on this scale, there are steps which have to be gone through before it can be approved.

“These include an assessment of its environmental impact.

“This is particularly important in the Firth of Forth, which has been designated as a Special Protection Area for its internationally important bird populations and is therefore protected by European law.

“SNH has responded promptly at each stage. We first learned of this project on June 14, when we received an outline of what was proposed.

“We replied on June 23, explaining the environmental information which was required for us to assess the project.

“An initial environmental report was received by us on July 25, to which we replied on August 2. Following a meeting on August 16, further information was provided to us on September 5 to which we replied by telephone on September 11.

“Having assessed the information provided to date, we have no objection to a 21-day trial going ahead as proposed.”

He continued, “SNH has put considerable effort over the summer into working with the developer on the environmental approval process for the project, required by national and international law. We have responded promptly to all the information they have provided.

“A period of less than three months to gather and then assess the necessary environmental information can not be described as ‘painfully slow,’ given that the developers had done no preparatory work on this issue.

“We strongly reject the suggestion that our actions have caused any delay.

“We look forward to the trial going ahead at some point.”