'Chain ferry' floated as way to restore historic island link

Plans have been drawn up for a "chain ferry" which would allow walkers and cyclists to avoid a three-mile walk to the nearest bridge and would replace the old rowing boat which took sightseers across the Almond for more than a century until 2000.

It comes after Lord Rosebery objected to plans for a new 30-metre bridge, claiming it would attract an unsavoury crowd to his land.

Engineer John Carson has designed the new ferry as a solution and has won the support of Cramond Community Council as well as local councillors and, more importantly, Lord Rosebery, as it would not allow access all day.

They would, however, have to find funding to cover its estimated cost of around 250,000.

Mr Carson said that chain ferries were common throughout Europe, although this would be the only one in Scotland.

The ferry is guided across the river by a series of chains and cables, which are linked to both shores. It would be manually operated by cranking a handle and would be large enough to take up to 12 passengers, including those with wheelchairs and bicycles.

He said: "These ferries aren't a new idea – there used to be one across the Clyde and they are common in Norway and Holland.

"There would be a mechanism to lower people on to the platform. It would have a ferry operator and would only operate at certain times, so there would not be access to Lord Rosebery's estate at night.

"There's no way you could have the old rowing boat back – it didn't have access for the disabled."

He said the Waterfront Partnership, Cramond Heritage Trust and Cramond Community Council had all been enthusiastic, as well as city councillors Kate McKenzie and Norman Work.

Bill Scholes, chairman of the community council, said: "I think this is a good alternative, since the bridge is no longer an option."

The old rowing boat stopped operating in 2000 when the foot-and-mouth outbreak and a crumbling jetty combined to consign it to the history books.

A spokesman for Sestran said it could not comment until it had seen detailed plans.

But Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said

: "There is no funding available for a ferry in this area."