Fans of the SRN4 hovercraft (those enormous ones that crossed the channel with passengers and cars in 30 minutes) are calling on the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to save one of the two remaining SRN4 hovercraft from destruction.
A petition to save the craft was launched on Friday by the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the- Solent and has already attracted 7,797 supporters, with just 2,203 needed to reach the 10,000 mark.
The online petition explains that two SRN4s have been resident at the site since they were decommissioned in 2000.
Built on the Isle of Wight
The Princess Margaret and Princess Anne, which were were built on the Isle of Wight by the British Hovercraft Corporation in the 1970s, are the last hovercraft that used to cross the channel with 400 passengers and 55 cars on board.
There has been a protracted legal battle between the craft and site owners which came to a “sudden resolution” last week with the hovercraft now facing destruction and removal unless a last-minute reprieve is granted by the site owner.
The centre point of the museum
Hovercraft museum trustee Emma Pullen said,
“The SRN4’s are the centre point of the museum and our most important exhibits. Many people come simply to see these huge relics from a bygone age and their loss would be an enormous blow to the museum. But more important than that is the fact that they are piece of British history, the like of which we will never see again.
“The Hovercraft Museum trust is dedicated to preserving them and we hope that a deal can be reached to allow this to happen.
“The final decision is out of our hands and this has all happened at very short notice but we will do everything in our powers to protect at least one of these national treasures.”
The trustees have set up a petition page and they are encouraging those with an interest in British history to sign and share it.
Following publication of the article, the HCA got in touch.
An HCA spokesperson told OnTheWight,
“Our aim is to develop the land to create much needed homes and jobs, and regenerate the local area.
“We are currently in discussions with local partners, including the museum, to find a solution for the hovercraft.”
They added
- The two hovercrafts are currently based on HCA land at Solent Enterprise Zone.
- The HCA plans to develop this land as part of wider commitment to create new homes and jobs on the site.
- The HCA has been working with the previous owners of the hovercrafts the museum and other local partners over the last few years to find a solution.
- There is no rent due.
- The HCA was granted legal consent to remove the hovercraft from the land earlier this month, and has been in discussions with the museum and other local partners to find the best outcome for both the development and the future of the hovercraft.
- There is no deadline for their removal (the 24 hour deadline that has been talked about is false) but we are looking to find a solution as soon as possible.
- The HCA is committed to regenerating the area and delivering hundreds of new jobs on this part of the Enterprise Zone, in line with the aspirations of the local authority and Solent Enterprise Partnership.
Article edits
Statement and bullet points from HCA added.
