Edinburgh City Council remains open to the possibility of establishing a cross-Forth hovercraft link.
The city’s transport convener Lesley Hinds told The Courier that while there is no imminent plan to introduce any service, the capital’s council would work with any interested party.
The prospect of a new coast-to-coast service between Edinburgh and Fife resurfaced back in December, fuelling excitement following a highly successful trial in 2007.
Back then the hopes of a permanent service were dashed when Edinburgh City Council refused planning permission for a terminal at Portobello.
However, Ms Hinds said the city is receptive to the prospect of a marine connection with Fife.
She said: “The council has carried out a number of studies and market testing with partners, including Fife Council, exploring the possibility of a cross-Forth passenger service, both traditional ferry and hovercraft.
“To date no commercially viable service has been identified.”
The possibility of establishing a permanent hovercraft service between Edinburgh and Fife has excited businesses and residents on both sides of the Forth for a considerable time. During the 2007 trial some 32,000 passengers used the route over a two-week period.
But proposals by Stagecoach to carry on permanently were sunk when the city council refused planning permission for a terminal on the south side of the Forth, citing concerns over noise.
Despite this setback, enthusiasm for a water crossing has remained.
The Courier revealed in December that the prospect of a cross-Forth hovercraft had resurfaced with a new company, Forthfast, requesting more time to complete a planning application at the former Stagecoach bus depot in Kirkcaldy from where the 2007 trial had been conducted.
Both Forthfast and Fife Council have maintained in the past that no hovercraft service is imminent, with December’s planning request merely wishing to extend the timeframe for the Kirkcaldy terminal site.
However, the request to extend the planning application would suggest there remains a belief such a business could be viable.
Ms Hinds added: “We are happy to engage with any prospective operator and there have been discussions with representatives of Forthfast about their proposal.”
Fife’s transport spokesman Pat Callaghan recently told The Courier he would also offer his support to any efforts to improve transport links with Edinburgh.