DESPITE FREEZING further work on proposals for a cross-Forth hovercraft service last week, Stagecoach will still carry out a trial run to Alloa tomorrow.

The news has been welcomed by Clackmannanshire Council, which is backing any possible hovercraft link to its area all the way.

The local authority’s sustainability portfolio holder, Councillor Eddie Carrick, will be on board the hovercraft tomorrow.

“This is a hugely exciting and significant proposition which the council is 100% behind,” he said.

“We have been exploring the opportunities for greater use of the historic Alloa harbour area for some time because it has major potential and its revitalisation would have a tremendous effect on Alloa.

“I took a keen interest in last year’s hovercraft trials from Kirkcaldy and am delighted that Clackmannanshire commuters may be offered this additional travel option in the future.

“Anything that reduces the need for car travel is to be welcomed,” he added.

Stagecoach was to have carried out the trial last week but that was postponed due to the weather.

Members and officials from Clackmannanshire Council will be given an opportunity to assess at first hand the hovercraft technology, which has already been proposed to link Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh

Stagecoach Group chief executive Brian Souter said that the Forth estuary was an underused resource.

“We are looking forward to discussing the potential of hovercraft technology with the council and how it can fit into their transport and economic development strategy,” he added.

The Perth-based transport group carried out a fortnight’s trial of the Forthfast service last summer, with a 130-passenger hovercraft linking Kirkcaldy and Portobello that attracted thousands of commuters and day-trippers.

Last autumn, Stagecoach published a detailed business case outlining proposals for a permanent cross-Forth link between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh based on investment of more than £10 million by Stagecoach and £3.3 million in public funding.

The company’s four-part masterplan also included the potential for a link to Alloa.

However, last week the company confirmed it was putting all research and development on the project on hold until it received clarification over the future public sector role and investment, both of which are key to taking the initiative forward.

As well as the trial run from Portobello to Alloa, the hovercraft has been chartered to carry out a survey of wintering birds on the estuary next week as part of an environmental impact study.