The troubled Cowes Floating Bridge, which has been out of service since August, could be back in action by Christmas – but it will be at least another 4 weeks before the East Cowes-Cowes service resumes.
It is hoped by the Isle of Wight Council that all the repairs currently underway will be completed early next month, with the aim of resuming the service from Monday 13th December.
The work has taken longer than originally anticipated after detailed investigations revealed the extent of the damage necessitating the replacement of one of the vessel’s main drive motors and other components.
The vessel is not even 5 years old, having entered service in May 2017.
During the repairs, contractors have taken the opportunity to make a number of modifications and upgrades to the vessel designed to improve reliability. This includes modifications to the prow which has been the cause of previous failures.
Prior to re-commencing the service, the vessel will be inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:
“The extent of the damage has led to a prolonged period of repair but I’m pleased to say we have dealt with those in a prompt and efficient manner.
Article continues below this advertisement “We hope to be in a position to return the vessel to service by mid-December and I would, again, like to thank everyone for their understanding and apologise for the ongoing disruption.
“I am confident that the modifications carried out will prove to be very positive and assist in preventing future breakdowns of a similar nature “
The launch service for foot passengers and cyclists continues to operate from 05:00 until 23:00 (06:30 until 23:00 Sundays).
Don’t hold your breath!!!!
And if so how long for ? if you go in the morning will you get back in the afternoon ,?????????
Dont worry. Its taken that long to get the thing going again, so i redon they have secretly changed it for a new one in the dead of night.
I think we should give the benefit of doubt here. For the council know the pressure is on, so will certainly have ensured this time, that all repairs are made to last.
Let’s hope I am right for all us motorists sakes.
He did say we hope to be in a position to re launch the ,(non) floating bridge !!!!!
That doesn’t fill me with confidence at all …..
He is definitely hedging his bets!!!!
And thanking people for their patience????
Think they should be grovelling to us for wasting our money …..
Benefit of the doubt you are joking with our Clowncil involved!
And for wheelchair and mobility scooter users who cannot drive
And out of action again by the New Year!
That long doubt it .
Fixed Christmas, broke by Boxing day one expects.
Still this time surely they have ensured all repairs are fully carried out, as it looks so bad for the council should this fail again.
So lets hope for our sakes it lasts a good few years now.
could be back in action by Christmas
which christmas – 21/22/23 – place your bets!
Back in service on the 13th, broken again within 6 hours is my prediction.
That is assuming it passes the MCA.
I expect the modifications to the prow will include a relocation of the hydraulic ram locations. As has been pointed out many times previously, the rams were poorly positioned far too low down and unable to operate effectively to lift such a heavy steel prow. A definite design flaw, as was the use of having steel prows. The FB No. 6 Technical Specifications defined that the maximum design weight permitted on the Chain Ferry to be 7.5 tons, hence much lighter aluminium would have been a better design option for the prows.
‘It’ll all be over by Christmas’. As was said at the start of World War One.
Haven’t missed it as never used it and don’t intend to
Cheeper to spruce up the old one and scrap this monstrocity.
If you use it, make sure you have some money for the bus fare back.
I take it that Reindeer will be pulling it to and throw
Them broken down on Boxing Day.
are both ramps being modified or are they leaving the other side to go wrong as usual, maybe take it out of service again to finish the rest
I hope this wasn’t a rush job because automatically you would say How Long For?
BUY BRITISH ? this is a very good advert ,cheap job and speed is an essence for any repairs
And in true pantomime style…
Altogether now…..
Oh no it won’t
Thank you for your understanding???? My understanding is the vessel is and always will be bloody useless.
Another huge council tax rise coming, to cover this white elephant. Persons responsible for this debacle should be made accountable.
So, in service again by the 13th December, in time for Christmas…. I’m not sure it’ll last that long. To have it back in action again by Christmas, maybe they should try returning it to service on 24th December….. I’m just glad I’m not someone who relies on this waste of space and money!
Doesn’t say which year!
Pigs Will Fly ??????? This will be the last time, enough is enough this is my Council tax being thown down the drain. Who the hell are they kidding lets see on Monday 13th December 2021 . and for how long .
I am offering evens that the floating bridge will not be working at christmas time.
Could be back for Christmas OR WILL BE BACK FOR CHRISTMAS?
“The extent of the damage has led to a prolonged period of repair but I’m pleased to say we have dealt with those in a prompt and efficient manner.” – Seriously? What planet is this guy on if he thinks that being out of service for most of the year is dealing with this in a “prompt and efficient manner”? Shows the utter clowns that we have running things on the island.
On all the holiday periods on the Island this heap of …. ! Has let everyone down, I don’t trust it, it’s a complete embarrassment, we are better off having a design on the old one which never let us down.