The Western Docks were also used from 1968 to the early 2000s for a cross-channel hovercraft service run by Hoverspeed.

Over 20 million passengers had used the service as of 2004 - the service is still operating (2010) and is by far the longest, continuously operated hovercraft service.

The origins of Hoverlloyd date back to 1964, when the Swedish Lloyd shipping company investigated the possibility of operating a hovercraft service.

Hoverlloyd also ran hovercraft services in 1966 to Calais but from Ramsgate.

A hovercraft service was inaugurated in 1968 but did not survive the 1972 season.

From here frequent hovercraft services leave for Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

Regular hovercraft service begins over the English Channel (discontinued in 2000 due to the Channel Tunnel).

An experimental hovercraft service ran in summer 2007 between Kirkcaldy and Seafield, operated by Stagecoach Group.

As of 2011, the planned hovercraft service has not materialised.

It used to be connected by hovercraft services before,but was stopped due to losses.