Hovercraft / ferry service from Fife to Portobello?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Aug 2006, 07:58

It sounds unlikely but Stagecoach announced the idea back in April. At the time it was proposed to disembark at East Sands in Leith but the Scotsman today reports that the trials planned for October will run between Kirkcaldy and Portobello!

Forth hovercraft link set for trial

From April, see also:

Stagecoach proposes cross Forth hover link

Hovercraft plan for Forth crossing

Would someone like to knock up a Photoshop? The BHT150 Hovercraft

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Aug 2006, 09:25

Can you imagine this landing on Porty beach? A bit noisy perhaps? One hundred and fifty Fife commuters disembark and trudge up the beach, nodding friendly hellos to local dog walkers, up Bath Street dodging the dog poo and join the queue for a no. 26 into town. It could happen!

Never mind the jet skis, here comes the hover!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Aug 2006, 10:10

From the Courier, it would appear that Portobello is not simply to be used for the purpose of the trial, but is indeed now the preferred option:

Hovercraft trials to be launched

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Aug 2006, 23:09

Local councillor and FETA big cheese, Lawrence Marshall interviewed on the matter for Portobello Online:

Interview with Lawrence

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 27 Aug 2006, 19:36

I saw this and assumed they would build a ramp directly onto Kings Road (Or perhaps directly into the bus station?) so the commuters didn't get sand in their shoes.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Sep 2006, 17:21

From Fife Today:

Hovercraft heads for a capital trial

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 03 Sep 2006, 13:34

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOooooooo!!!!!!

Has anyone ever been on one of these disasters?? Well, I have!!!

And I HATED it!!! Hated, hated, hated!!!

It was POURING with rain going across the Channel ... and I'm not good on ships or boats because I get seasick a lot. So I got on it and the noise aboard from the engines is SHOCKING! Not only that ... but it's like you're floating on top of a pneumatic tyre! I had this vision all the way to Calais that there was going to be a puncture! And two wee men were gonna have to brave the horrible weather to go out with a wee bicycle puncture repair kit to fix it. Horrible!!

So I say no ... let's have a decent sized SHIP!!!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Sep 2006, 14:07

Front page news in the EN today:

Forth hovercraft idea lifts off

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Sep 2006, 15:18

Hold it. Hovercraft plan crash-lands!

[quote]Stagecoach criticises Scottish Natural Heritage over delay to cross-Forth hovercraft trial

12/09/2006

Stagecoach â€œfrustratedâ€

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Sep 2006, 17:34

Question: when do you think that Stagecoach knew that Scottish Natural Heritage would cause them to postpone the trials? Just a few hours after they had given the Evening News today's front page story announcing the trials were definitely going ahead next month?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Sep 2006, 18:42

The story has now made the BBC:

Hovercraft to transport commuters

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Sep 2006, 15:14

From today's EN:

Red faces for Stagecoach as Forth hover trial grounded

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 14 Sep 2006, 01:45

Bob Jefferson wrote:Front page news in the EN today:

Forth hovercraft idea lifts off

3. Dave Hedgehog / 12:40pm 12 Sep 2006 The Fifers wont use it. They'll think it's the devil's work. Using air to 'float' on water. What next, Jetpacs?

I found this very amusing

Denise · Post by **Denise** » 14 Sep 2006, 08:35

I found this very amusing

so did I (and I'm from Fife)

I hope they get the environmental approval they're looking for as it sounds like a good idea in theory. Maybe avoid more cars coming into Edinburgh? And remove the jet skis at the same time?!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Sep 2006, 12:45

From today's EN:

MP gives support to Forth hovercraft crossing

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Sep 2006, 13:19

From today's EN:

Too much bovver over Forth hover

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Sep 2006, 16:56

Interesting to note that the EN's online poll is showing overwhelming support for the hovercraft crossing.

Current standings after 245 votes:

Would you be likely to take a hovercraft from Portobello to Kirkcaldy or vice versa?

Yes, I think itâ€™s a tremendous idea - 88%

Not sure, it looks like it could be uncomfortable in a stormy winter day - 2%

No roads and bus/rail links must be improved - 10%

Vote here

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 25 Sep 2006, 20:46

From today's EN Letters Page:

At least 'jobsworths' know hovercraft facts

I ENJOYED Stephen Jardine's amusingly-written pop at "jobsworth public sector bureaucrats" and Scottish Natural Heritage in particular over the Forth hovercraft (News, September 21). It's just a shame none of the facts are true. Perhaps Mr Jardine doesn't think I'm qualified to comment as I'm not "a man with a beard", but here are the real facts:

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. Yes, hovercraft are in use elsewhere but, unless we look carefully at the project details, we cannot assume that it will be right for the Firth of Forth.

We learned of this project on June 14, when we received an outline. 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 had no objection to a 21-day trial going ahead as proposed. So how can anyone dress this up as SNH blocking the trial?

We also come in for unjustified criticism by Mr Jardine on the proposed ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Forth. He says the proposal "should be a headline issue for SNH". Believe me it is. Our Forth area staff have been working on this for sometime. From the beginning, we have maintained our objection to the ship-to-ship proposals unless it can be shown that they will not impact on designated wildlife sites and species. This is still our position.

Dr Katherine Leys, operations manager, SNH

2jamie · Post by **2jamie** » 03 Oct 2006, 11:16

I would be careful of draawing to much from that poll -- like most of the polls peddled by EN they are biased by careful phrasing of the question and limiting of the answers...

That is

88% of people who are likely to use the hovercraft servive think its an interesting idea

is very different from

88% of edinburgh residents would like the hovercraft link put in place

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 03 Oct 2006, 11:22

I voted 'yes' in the Poll 2jamie, but would most likely only use the hovercraft for a day trip once a year, on a nice Summer's day. I reckon the only poll worth conducting would be one which asked if Fifers would use it to commute.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Oct 2006, 09:45

From yesterday's EN:

Ministers give the green light to Forth hovercraft crossing trial

portocat · Post by **portocat** » 30 Oct 2006, 21:13

I reckon it would be a great idea. Probably much quicker than queing at the forth road bridge while they redesign the tolls. Go on stagecoach!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 30 Oct 2006, 22:14

I think it is a brilliant idea, well apart from the fact it goes to Fife

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Nov 2006, 18:16

From today's EN:

Hovercraft ferry-link 'is only a partial answer'

CROSSING the Forth by water would provide only a partial solution to the Forth Road Bridge's congestion problems, the idea's biggest backers have admitted.

The transport giant Stagecoach first proposed relaunching ferries across the firth, but is now focusing on hovercraft instead for Fife- Edinburgh commuters.

However the firm, led by Brian Souter, sees the move as more about helping to ease bridge gridlock in the short term than removing it altogether.

Stagecoach plans to run a three-week, passenger-carrying trial of its hovercraft service between Kirkcaldy and Portobello in May or June next year.

The craft can carry 130 people, with the service projected to attract 470,000 passengers a year - compared with some 24 million vehicles which use the bridge. The crossing would take 20 minutes.

A Stagecoach spokesman said: "The key to the project is its timing and deliverability when congestion is increasing all the time on the bridge. However, it will not solve all the bridge's problems and provide the public transport alternative alone."

He said the firm had switched its attention from ferries because hovercraft needed only a beach to come ashore, rather than jetties, and tidal conditions were not an issue.

Fife Council has commissioned a study into cross-Forth ferry links, which is due to be completed at the end of next year.

Iain Napier, a council transport official, doubted whether a ferry and hovercraft service would both go ahead. However, he said the study would determine whether they were good value for money, since both were likely to require some public funding.

He said while hovercraft were more flexible over landing sites, they could be noisier, less fuel- efficient and no faster than ferries, which gave passengers better views.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Feb 2007, 14:34

From today's EN:

Hovercraft gets Forth test run

Scoop · Post by **Scoop** » 28 Feb 2007, 19:41

Interesting, if a bit one sided, poll attached to the article.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Feb 2007, 19:44

Although it still manages to make more sense than some of the recent ones on G&TT.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2007, 14:27

From Fife Today:

HOVERCRAFT TRIAL TO HIT THE WATER AT LAST

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 01 Mar 2007, 18:23

read article in EN,apparently going to embark, disembark in front of further away lothian buses garage , will someone be there to help the unsuspecting Fifers to climb up the wall ?

wait to see , should be fun

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 07 Mar 2007, 18:56

Can we have a wee go too?

I think the magnoliettes would like a trip on a hovercraft...

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 08 Mar 2007, 00:01

mr magnolia wrote: I think the magnoliettes would like a trip on a hovercraft...

don't see why not if you fancy a wee morning/afternoon in Fife

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 05 Apr 2007, 22:44

Sandra wrote:
mr magnolia wrote: I think the magnoliettes would like a trip on a hovercraft...
don't see why not if you fancy a wee morning/afternoon in Fife

You could always come up to the BM house in Kinross (technically part of Perthshire) for a cuppa and a chat.

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 07 Jun 2007, 13:54

Does anyone know what's happening ? thought it was supposed to have started by now ? can't wait for a wee hoover !! or is it hover ? goan someone help !!!!!!!!!!!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 13 Jun 2007, 17:59

Stagecoach are holding a public meeting in Portobello Community Centre, on Tuesday 19 June from 12 noon to 2 p.m., when they will confirm precise dates for the trial and let interested parties find out more.

They anticipate a total of 22 services a day (11 in each direction) with a crossing time of 20 minutes.

Services from Portobello will leave from the rear of the Lothian buses depot on the prom and will operate between 7.35 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Jun 2007, 22:25

Here is the full text of that message CC members received today:

June 2007

Dear stakeholder

I am writing to let you know about an exciting new transport option for people looking to travel between Fife and Edinburgh. Stagecoach is to carry out a two-week trial of a cross-Forth hovercraft service between Kirkcaldy and Portobello this summer.

A fast, state-of-the-art passenger hovercraft will run on the route, with a crossing time of just 20 minutes. There will be a total of 22 services a day – 11 in each direction. With convenient peak-time services and integrated bus links, it is an ideal option for commuters or leisure travelers looking to avoid congestion on the Forth Road Bridge. It also has significant potential to assist in moves to cut carbon emissions in the region.

We have arranged two public meetings for local people on both sides of the Forth when we will confirm the precise dates of the trial and give interested parties an opportunity to find out more about our plans. Meetings have been scheduled for Tuesday 19 June at the following locations and times:

Portobello Community Education Centre, 3 Adelphi Grove, Edinburgh EH15 1AP - 12noon to 2pm
Philp Hall, 111 Links Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1QL - 6.30pm to 8.30pm

In the meantime, as an individual with a particular interest in transport issues affecting the region, I wanted to provide you with some brief details about our plans.

Stagecoach has liaised very closely with a number of public agencies, including the Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage, in developing the proposals. Fife and the City of Edinburgh councils have approved the trial, which is being backed by public funding support from SEStran, the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership.

The craft we have selected for the trial is one of the most modern in use across the globe and is already being used successfully in North America. We have carried out a detailed environmental impact assessment to ensure that the interests of local residents and the natural habitat on and around the Forth estuary are protected. A door-to-door survey is expected to be carried out during the trial to determine feedback from local residents.

Services on the Fife side of the Forth will depart from the West end of the Esplanade. At Portobello, the hovercraft will leave from the rear of the Lothian Buses depot on the Promenade. These landing points have been chosen carefully to minimise any potential inconvenience for residents. We will also carry out further monitoring to ensure any noise emissions from the craft meet all applicable regulations.

Waiting facilities will be available at both operating sites for passengers planning to travel on the hovercraft and we will be encouraging people to make use of available link buses. A comparatively small area of beachhead will be taken up by the operation at the arrival and departure time of the craft.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Hovercraft / ferry service from Fife to Portobello?

Hovercraft / ferry service from Fife to Portobello?

The poll