PLANS for a Forth crossing between Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy by hovercraft are back on the table 18 years after a successful trial.
A new feasibility study has been completed and will be presented to councillors who will consider the next steps for the project, with politicians on either side of the Forth onboard, according to the Fife Free Press.
In 2007, a trial scheme run by Stagecoach saw a hovercraft service run between Portobello beach and Kirkcaldy for a week, with a journey time of 18 minutes.
However, the hovercraft service was never made permanent due to disputes over public funding and the route, along with Edinburgh Council refusing planning permission to build a terminal on Portobello beach in 2011.
Now, Fife Council is exploring plans to bring in a permanent hover route.
With the £27,000 report completed, it is hoped that the framework will be in place to start making serious inroads on the project by next year.
It has been reported that councillors aim to have all the key players around the table to look at locations, infrastructure, and which type of vessel could be deployed across the Forth.
Councillor Ian Cameron, convener of Kirkcaldy area committee, has been pushing the case for a new Forth crossing for more than two years.
“It has to be seen in context of a complete regeneration vehicle for the town – not just a day out for a summer trip,” he told The Scotsman.
“There’s a greater political will to make it happen now, and in terms of a transport strategy it ticks all the boxes. It also taps into economic regeneration and would be a huge fillip to the town.”
It has been reported that the City of Edinburgh Council is on board with the aim of producing a further report, which has the agreement of both councils. Fife Council will then take the lead.
The 12-day pilot scheme in 2007 saw the 92ft BHT 130 amphibious vehicle, previously used on the crossing from the Isle of Wight to mainland England, take thousands of passengers across the estuary.
Huge crowds turned up at Portobello Beach to take the £3.50 return trip over to Kirkcaldy.
