Stagecoach looks for plan to get hovercraft running

TRANSPORT giant Stagecoach has called on the Scottish Government to produce a "road map" for the future of the proposed hovercraft.

The call comes after a report by transport authority Sestran said the Leith to Kirkcaldy link could be built with state aid, but warned the funding process could take up to two years to complete. Stagecoach has plans for a 150-passenger craft with a crossing time of just 20 minutes.

The company has offered to invest more than £10 million in the service but wants £3.3m of public cash to cover the first three years of the operation, which are likely to be loss-making.

A Stagecoach Group spokesman said: "We have been very encouraged by Sestran's support for both a hovercraft and catamaran service.

"As the report makes clear, European Commission clearance on these issues can take time.

"That is why we need to maintain the momentum behind the hovercraft project to meet the aspirations of the communities in Fife and in Edinburgh.

"It is crucial we now have a roadmap from the Scottish Government on the hovercraft project and clarity on whether it is prepared to commit public funding to make a cross-Forth link a reality."