10 March 2008
Hovercraft trial given a lift
SPT has given its support to a three-day hovercraft passenger service pilot on the River Clyde.
The trial - which began on Monday and involves a Griffon 2000TD hovercraft - gives the Clydeport Harbourmaster an opportunity to assess the potential impact of a regularly operated service.
Interested investors and local authorities have been offered the chance to experience what a hovercraft could offer in terms of alternative transport.
An important advantage of hovercraft services is high speed operation but minimal ‘wash’.
Two round trips per day will be on offer during the trial period between the SECC pontoon in Glasgow, Braehead, East India Harbour in Greenock and Dunoon.
Alistair Macleod, Chief Executive of Clydefast, said: “We are very excited about the test and indebted to Glasgow City Council, Riverside Inverclyde and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for making the trial possible.
"It will hopefully demonstrate the potential for a permanent hovercraft operation to be brought to the Clyde.
"The service will be fast. For example, a service from Dunoon to Glasgow will reach the city centre in 52 minutes, over 20 minutes quicker than the present journey time of an hour and a quarter.
"Rothesay will be included in a permanent operation which would add a further 15 minutes to the journey.”
A permanent service would involve hovercraft with a capacity of up to 130 passengers which could travel in the open seas at speeds of up to 40 knots.
The river speed would be reduced to a level acceptable to the Harbourmaster.
Hovercraft were last seen in regular use on the Clyde in the late 1960s.
Councillor George Ryan, of Glasgow City Council, said he “welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate how the river can be utilised for regular passenger services”.
Ron Culley, Chief Executive of SPT, said: “We’re delighted to support this trial. Development of the Clyde as an additional transport channel helps the ongoing regeneration of the area.
"By encouraging varied and fun ways to travel along the river, we can continue to make Glasgow a vibrant location for people to visit.”
ends