Ambitious new Hovertravel plan delights Portsmouth residents

Plans to link Portsmouth and Southampton have been welcomed

The ambitious scheme was exclusively revealed by The News yesterday.

The service could potentially run from Southsea to a landing pad near Southampton’s Red Funnel Terminal, though talks over where passengers would go to and from are still ongoing.

It is the idea of Portsmouth City Council boss Donna Jones and is part of her plan to slash motorway congestion by 20 per cent and improve links between the two southern powerhouses.

She claimed it could take just 28 minutes to travel from Southampton to Portsmouth.

Readers have since voiced their support for the proposal on The News’ Facebook page and website.

Tom Davies said: ‘Fantastic idea. If it’s commercially viable and helps get even 10 per cent of cars off the road it will be a success.

‘With so many coastal towns and cities in the Solent we really haven’t been making good use of the sea at all and it’s time that change.’

Commenting on Facebook Justin Safe said: ‘What a great idea.’

While Sally Greenslade added: ‘Good idea, another attraction for holiday makers,’

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt said the proposal had potential to cut traffic outside the city but stressed it would need to work in conjunction with other congestion-busting projects.

‘Putting more traffic into the water is a very welcome idea,’ she said.

‘The Solent LEP has put together an investment and growth plan to help connectivity and reduce congestion, and, although such a scheme won’t be a silver bullet, it will help.

‘Alleviating congestion and parking woes is the priority for Portsmouth in my view.’

Joanne Easby said the scheme could be expanded to further improve coastal links between Portsmouth, Thorney Island and Hayling Island.

But Tom Carnegie said: ‘I hardly think two Hovercraft are going to solve the issue of gridlock on the M27.’

Jeannette Kiany added: ‘Anything to reduce traffic has to be good as long as it’s well thought out.’