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120419 | MP is confident hovercraft idea could fly | This is Cornwall

Spotted in The Cornishman Thursday 19th April 2012

MP is confident hovercraft idea could fly


Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Cornishman

A LOCAL MP is moving forward with his plans for a sea link between St Ives and Hayle.

Last week, MP for Hayle, Camborne and Redruth, George Eustice, called on businesses and local councillors to consider providing a hovercraft ferry service between the two towns.
George Eustice, MP, visited the Portsmouth to Isle of  Wight hoverlink service to get an idea of how a similar scheme might work between Hayle and St Ives. He is confident the idea would be a success.
George Eustice, MP, visited the Portsmouth to Isle of Wight hoverlink service to get an idea of how a similar scheme might work between Hayle and St Ives. He is confident the idea would be a success.


Since then, Mr Eustice has visited the only working passenger hovercraft in the UK to get more ideas.

He said: "Last week I visited the hoverlink from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight to get an idea of how this might work in practice.

"It is a fascinating service and, although the distance is slightly further, the journey is just ten minutes. I think it would be a fantastic asset to the communities of Hayle and St Ives.

"I shall now seek meetings with the harbour authorities, local councillors and potential commercial partners to further explore this proposal."

People have contacted The Cornishman this week to express their support for the proposals.

Felicity Morgan, who is in her sixties and was brought up in Hayle, said the ferry link was a brilliant idea.

She said: "When I was a girl there was a little old ferry man called Jack Couch and you could call him to go across to Lelant.

"A hovercraft would be a win-win situation as far as I can see and once the Quay is up and running again it should be so easy to do."

Rachel Henderson, 50, from Carbis Bay, also supports the idea of a sea link between St Ives and Hayle.

She said: "It is creating jobs, which we badly need down here.

"Not only that, but it would get more people to go to Hayle."

And David Girling, from Hayle, said he thought the idea was "brilliant".

He said: "I think it is something that is needed. I would definitely use it and spend the day.

"Obviously vehicle parking is going to be an issue because people are going to park in Hayle to go to St Ives but if that can be sorted out it will be good."

What's you opinion? Call Johanna Carr on 01736 335515.