Politicians have welcomed a trial of a new hovercraft route, describing it as a major step towards improving cross-Solent travel.
The proposed service, which would connect Lee-on-the-Solent with the Isle of Wight, is being tested as part of efforts to explore faster and more flexible transport options across the Solent.
MP sees waterways as “connectors, not obstacles”
Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, said the trial could help change how local waterways are viewed.
She said,
“For too long the waterways around the Gosport peninsula have been seen as obstacles, not connectors.
“The Hovertravel trials are a step in the right direction towards genuinely innovative transport solutions across the Solent.
“If the trials prove popular, and I am hopeful that they will be, we can have conversations about expanding the coverage.”
The trial has also been backed by Gosport councillor Lesley Meenaghan, who said it could bring economic and tourism benefits as well as improved commuting options.
Use it to keep it
Councillor Meenaghan, Conservative for Harbourside and Town, said,
“The hovercraft trial is great news for Gosport.
“Improved connectivity with the Island is welcome – whether residents are visiting for a ‘trip out’ or commuting for work, reduced travel costs and quicker journey times will be genuinely welcome.
“Am I hopeful it continues? Absolutely. My message to residents is simple – use it, because demonstrating the demand is the best way to secure this service for the future.
“It also sits perfectly alongside the exciting regeneration of the former HMS Daedalus, a 42-acre mixed-use development. Better links across the Solent can only enhance that vision and bring more visitors to our area.”
The trial forms part of wider efforts to improve transport links between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, with hovercraft seen as a potential alternative to traditional ferry routes due to their speed and flexibility.
Trial dates and departure point
The proposed route will set off from the slipway at the Hovercraft Museum.
The first sailing will take place on 28th June 2026 followed by a second on 22nd August 2026 and a third on 5th September 2026.
A spokesperson for Hovertravel Limited told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that further details on the trial will be released next month.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
