Unconfirmed rumours have been circulating on social media about a Hovercraft service between Sandown and Southsea.
Rather than just rely on rumour, we thought we’d find out the facts.
Happily Neil Chapman, MD of Hovertravel, told us that OnTheWight was the first media that the company had spoken to and was happy to share details with OnTheWight.
How did it come about?
Ron Teasdale and Ian Ward of the Sandown Community Partnership approached Hovertravel in early January 2015 with a plan to bring the Hover service to Sandown during the summer season.
Neil tells OnTheWight they met in Sandown to further explore the idea. Discussions went well and the final sign off on the idea occurred at the end of January.
The whole service is being described as ‘provisional’ as it’s subject to a number of official bodies granting their approval and blessings.
Hovertravel were at pains to stress that if the service went ahead, it would not be to the detriment of the regular Hovertravel service. Neil told OnTheWight,
“We have to protect the Ryde/Southsea route.”
Summer service – 25 minute journey
If approved, the service will operate 14 July 2015 to 27 August 2015, every Tuesday and Thursday.
The journey is expected to take 25 minutes and is expected to run at the times below.
Morning
Depart Southsea 9:45 – Arrive Sandown 10:10
Depart Sandown 10:40 – Arrive Southsea 11:05
Afternoon
Depart Southsea 2:45 – Arrive Sandown 3:10
Depart Sandown 3:15 – Arrive Southsea 3:40
“This will give those from the Mainland a good five hours in Sandown – and those staying in Sandown the chance to visit Portsmouth,” Neil Chapman told OnTheWight.
There will be a concessionary fare for Islanders.
What’s to be sorted?
Hovertravel tell OnTheWight they are not in a position to launch this yet, but clearly a lot of the details have been planned.
They are going through the relevant risk assessments and compliance approvals. They tell OnTheWight they are confident these can be met as they’ve been to Sandown twice before – Once as a trip to promote their Blue card, the other to promote the Dinosaur App.
The MCA, who govern the journeys across the Solent, are “comfortable” with the idea, but the detail needs to be sorted out.
Discussions are in progress with Isle of Wight council as to where the Hovercraft will land in Sandown and the required paperwork.
Two possible sites
Two sites are being looked at – on the sand opposite the Dinosaur Isle museum and another site closer to Sandown Pier.
The plan is to have the details wrapped up by the end of February and a promotional launch in March.
Two test/promo trips are due to be arranged for the great and the good to sample the service – 28th May and 25th June.
Update 15:35: Heard back from Ian Ward. He told us it was the Sandown Community Partnership, not the Business Association that spread-headed this. Ian also said it was Ron Teasdale that led it, so added his name.
Image: © With kind permission of VisitWight
