Edinburgh councillors delay decision on Forth hovercraft terminal

Plans for a hovercraft link between Kirkcaldy and Portobello remain in limbo after councillors on the south side of the Forth deferred their decision on a proposed ferry terminal.

Kirkcaldy councillors this week approved landing and passenger facilities at the former Esplanade bus depot for a temporary period of five years giving potential operator Stagecoach more time to explore the possibility of running a service.

But their Edinburgh City Council counterparts have delayed a decision on similar plans for a terminal at Portobello’s Seafield Road so they can undertake a site visit.

Stagecoach has stressed it plans to look again at the business case for a cross-Forth service if both planning applications are approved.

In light of the planning decisions, a Stagecoach Group spokesman reiterated the fact that more work and a number of other hurdles will still have to be cleared before any passenger service comes to fruition.

With the Kirkcaldy planning permission apparently tied up, all eyes will now turn to Edinburgh councillors who are expected to consider the application again in December or January following next week’s site visit.