A NEW hovercraft service to link Southampton and Portsmouth has taken a step closer to reality.

The Daily Echo can reveal there have been discussions between councillors and Hovertravel, the UK’s only hover ferry service, to develop a new water taxi service linking the two ports.

A proposal for funding for the Southampton-Portsmouth hover route is expected to be submitted to the Solent LEP in the next six months.

The service could also include a stop at Daedalus airfield near Lee-on-the-Solent – an option put forward by Councillor Sean Woodward, Fareham Borough Council leader.

He said: “A stop at Daedalus would be ideal because the infrastructure required, which includes the marine slipway, is already in place.

“The Solent is an underused resource that should be developed and utilised for transport links like this proposed Hovertravel service.

“Because the development is right in the heart of the Solent Enterprise Zone it is an ideal location for both living and working in Fareham, and Gosport residents.

“The train service between Southampton and Portsmouth is slow so this could be a viable alternative.”

Councillor Trevor Cartwright, deputy leader of the Fareham council, said: “It makes perfect sense because of the future employment opportunities in the area, and for the people of Gosport, Hillhead and Stubbington to get work more easily.”

The Hovercraft scheme has been spearheaded by Portsmouth City Council’s Tory leader Donna Jones, who has said a 12-month trial could take place using two Hovertravel 135-seater crafts currently not in operation.

Cllr Jones said: “The Daedalus stop is an interesting concept. However, we would need to see how much extra time it would add in.

“The main aim is to get people off the motorway and to speed up the journey times between the main economic hubs of Southampton and Portsmouth.

“I’ve been working with Simon Letts on the scheme for the last few months to put a bid to the LEP for viability funding for a pilot.”

A Hovertravel spokesman said Daedalus has been presented as a possible stop on the proposed Southampton-Portsmouth route: “We can, however, confirm that we are looking at a variety of Solent opportunities.

“Last weekend, we ran two very successful charters to the Hovershow at the Hovercraft Museum and we are about to announce a new charter between Lee-on-Solent and Ryde on the Isle of Wight which will operate on October 21.”