Ferry plan 'remains on course'

The service is due to start next spring

The backers of a scheme to start a ferry service between the Firth of Forth and Belgium have rejected reports that it is in jeopardy.

The Rosyth to Zeebrugge link is scheduled to open in May and will be operated by Greek-based Superfast Ferries.

The firm's spokesman Criticos Yannis said in Athens on Friday that proposed timetables and prices would be published within the next few weeks.

A report last week said that the scheme was under threat because of delays in financial negotiations.

That prompted the leader of Fife Council, Christine May, to say that the project must not be allowed to fail because of red tape.

Funding discussions are currently under way with the Scottish Executive.

Feasibility study

They centre on the so-called Freight Facility Grants (FFGs).

A spokeswoman for the executive has said that the matter is being pursued "vigorously".

In May Superfast Ferries docked a vessel in Rosyth to show the public what kind of transportation would be being provided.

The project follows a feasibility study by the executive which said that a new service between Scotland and Europe was commercially viable.

The study showed that most Scots would prefer to travel from a home port rather than the English port of Hull.

A steering group was then set up to evaluate business plans from interested operators.

The Greek-based company Superfast Ferries was chosen as the preferred operator.

The daily ferry service, using roll-on roll-off vessels, would take about 16 hours.