PROPOSALS for a ferry link between Edinburgh and Fife will be on the table as part of a transport action plan from the capital’s council.
Scott Arthur, a Scottish Labour councillor and the convener of Edinburgh Council’s transport committee, confirmed that the link would be considered ahead of the publication of the action plan.
The ferry would connect Leith to Kirkcaldy (a possible route is shown below), with three boats based in the Fife town.
The Labour councillor told the Edinburgh Evening News the ferry service could become a “tourist attraction in its own right”, comparing it to the Staten Island Ferry in New York.
However, The National understands that the proposals are at a very early stage and detail in the soon-to-be-published plan will be thin on the ground.
Arthur said he had discussed the plans with Ian Cameron, Labour councillor for Kirkcaldy East on Fife Council, and former prime minister Gordon Brown.
“This was followed by discussions between council officers from Fife and Edinburgh, and a private company interested in running the service,” he told the Evening News.
“The proposal remains at an early stage, but progress is being made. It is anticipated that three vessels will be required, and these would be housed and maintained in Fife. As well as supporting commuting, it is anticipated the service would be a tourist attraction in its own right.
“With this in mind, exploring it further forms part of a plan to improve public transport links between Edinburgh, Fife and other local authorities. I will publish the plan on Friday, and will table the proposal at the Transport and Environment Committee on February 2.”
An Edinburgh Council spokesperson confirmed that the proposal to explore a ferry crossing across the firth is included in the draft public action plan.
