05/04/2006

• 150-passenger craft could run from Kirkcaldy to Leith from late 2007
• New option would significantly cut taxpayer infrastructure costs
• Trial planned for September 2006 to test innovative proposals

Stagecoach today (5 April 2006) unveiled radical new proposals for a cross-Forth hovercraft link between Fife and Edinburgh.

The Perth-based international transport group believes a 150-passenger hovercraft running between Kirkcaldy and Leith could put long-standing proposals for a cross-Forth link back on track.

Research carried out on behalf of Stagecoach suggests regular services could be operational by late 2007 and plans are already being drawn up for a trial later this year.

Scottish-based marine consultant Alistair Macleod has carried out detailed exploratory work on behalf of Stagecoach and a service could run on a similar timetable to that proposed for a ferry.

While the service would require initial public subsidy, a hovercraft would significantly cut the infrastructure costs of current ferry-based proposals.

A Stagecoach Group spokesman said: “A cross-Forth link can deliver significant transport, economic and social inclusion benefits and we are very excited by the potential of a hovercraft.

“We are seeking the support of all parties involved in making a cross-Forth link a reality to back a hovercraft trial later this year. If successful, this innovative solution could be delivered in as little as 18 months, with significantly less cost to taxpayers than ferry-based alternatives.”

Stagecoach has earmarked the BHT150 hovercraft, manufactured by Isle of Wight-based Hoverwork Limited and incorporating the latest diesel engine technology, as a potential craft for use on the planned service.

A similar craft is planned to be operated from June this year by Isle of Wight-based Hovertravel between Ryde and Southsea. The company’s hovercraft services have successfully carried 21 million passengers in the past 40 years.

Stagecoach has identified the site of its former bus depot in Kirkcaldy, just off the A921, as a potential departure point on the Fife side of the Forth. As well as having easy access to the estuary, it is close to a main dual carriageway, has space for maintenance and is an ideal location for a park and ride facility.

On the Edinburgh side of the Forth, a potential landing point has been pinpointed at a beach area on the East Sands of Leith. The area, which is owned by Forth Ports, is close to the site for the new National Library of Scotland.

A hovercraft operation would require a concrete ramp and relatively low-cost waiting facilities at either side of the Forth, which would be significantly cheaper than the cost re-developing Kirkcaldy harbour and other infrastructure work on the Edinburgh side related to a fest ferry link.

The crossing time between Kirkcaldy and Leith would be approximately 20 minutes and the craft, with normal operating speeds of around 35 knots, could run in sea conditions with waves of up to two metres.

Stagecoach has written to Forth Ports, Edinburgh City Council, Fife Council, the Forth Estuary Transport Authority and the Scottish Executive seeking their backing for a three-day hovercraft trial in September. The trial would use a smaller BHT130 hovercraft, currently being constructed on the Isle of Wight.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680
Email: steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTE TO EDITORS

• A high-resolution computer-generated image of the type of hovercraft proposed for the cross-Forth service is available on request.