Hoverlink bosses garner MPs’ support for ambitious plan
AMBITIOUS plans to launch a fast hovercraft service linking North West destinations including Wirral, Blackpool, Southport, Liverpool and North Wales, are gaining momentum.
Hoverlink, the brainchild of Simon Clitheroe, a part-time lifeboat crew member from Wirral, has received the backing of a number of regional MPs.
The company could launch the service – which features a route to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the world’s only airport hovercraft shuttle, in 2015 if it can raise the funds it needs.
Mr Clitheroe said that the company is looking to woo from investors for the scheme, and explains: “There are two options – one would be to lease the four vessels we need and that would be for around £1m.
“If the investors want the assets on the balance sheet meaning we buy the hovercraft, then we’d need to raise around like £23.5m, which sounds a lot, but is actually half the cost of an Airbus A318.”
At the London visit last week Hoverlink presented its proposals to transport minister Robert Goodwill MP and also met MPs Louise Ellman (Liverpool Riverside), who is also chair of the Transport Select Committee, Esther McVey (Wirral West), Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) and Paul Maynard (Blackpool North & Cleveleys).
Mr Clitheroe said: “Momentum behind the Hoverlink project is building fast. The meeting outlined our exciting plans to provide a fast hovercraft linking the North West and North Wales. With the closure of commercial flights out of Blackpool, the hovercraft provides an integral transport link with Liverpool Airport.
“The unique service will be phased in over two years and could create 100 permanent jobs. We have already secured a proportion of the costs from private investors but opportunities are still available.”
Hoverlink chairman David Kirwan, senior partner of North West law firm Kirwans, said: “We were greatly encouraged by the support by MPs from all parties and also the Government itself.
“The service makes perfect sense and offers a genuine opportunity to boost the North West economy by potentially billions of pounds over the next few decades.”
