The Forth Bridge is causing problems with it's constant repairs year in year out resulting in long delays for commuters. The traffic crossing the bridge has grown over the last ten years partly due to hundreds of houses being built in the eastern expansion of Dunfermline in Fife. Many of the houses have been purchased by residents of Edinburgh who saw an opportunity to sell their Ednburgh home and purchase alternative accommodation in Fife. This has enhanced the problem with the amount of traffic crossing the Forth Bridge as these residents are employed by companies based in and around the Edinburgh area.

Edinburgh schools are a popular choice of parents living in Fife, children can be dropped off at school on the way to work and collected on the way home in the late afternoon. This is evident during school holiday periods when the level of traffic is much lighter.

Fortunately, a well established transport company based in Perth have come up with a solution which will help to alleviate the problem.

Steven Stewart who is the Director of Corporate Communications at Stagecoach Group confirmed 'Stagecoach Group is planning to test a 130-passenger craft on a route between Kirkcaldy and Portobello this summer. There is a broad consensus that a cross-Forth link can deliver significant transport, economic and social inclusion benefits and we have had huge support for the project from politicians and the local community. Scottish-based marine consultant Alistair Macleod has carried out detailed exploratory work on the hovercraft plans on behalf of Stagecoach. Extensive discussions have taken place with nearly a dozen public and statutory bodies as part of the preparations for the trial'.

'Stagecoach has earmarked for the trial the 28-metre BHT130 hovercraft, manufactured by Isle of Wight based, Hoverwork Limited, and incorporating the latest diesel engine technology. The crossing time between Kirkcaldy and Portobello 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 estimates that running a two-craft operation would cost around £2million a year. Around 9,000 passengers a week and up to 470,000 passengers a year would be expected to use the service. While the service would require initial public investment, Stagecoach believes that within a few years passenger volumes could grow to make it commercially sustainable'.

Editor