The Cowes Floating Bridge is likely to remain out of action for a further 4 weeks, the Isle of Wight Council has announced.
The troublesome vessel was taken out of service on Thursday 26th August after developing a fault, with investigations taking place over the past 10 days.
Specialist contractors have identified a serious fault with 1 of the Floating Bridge’s main engines, with work now set to take place to replace the drive motor with a new unit.
The local authority says that its aim is to return the vessel to service as swiftly and safely as possible, but replacing the drive motor is a lengthy job which is expected to take up to 4 weeks to complete. However, the authority is advised that this is the most cost and time-effective solution.
Progress on the repairs, and the expected return to service, will be closely monitored and any changes will be communicated in further service updates.
The launch service for foot passengers and cyclist will continue to operate from 05:00 until 23:00 (06:30 until 23:00 on Sundays) – at a continued cost to the tax payer.
Well why not put those ‘officers’ of the council responsible for this total disaster on it, tow it out mid channel and leave the rest to the Royal Navy do to the rest.
And how about those wishing to transverse between the two Cowes whilst the (unwanted) festival is on? Oh yes, the council apologies for any inconvenience, of course they do. And what help is that to anyone? Answer: None.
*Pretends to be shocked*
No surprises there, i expext the council needs to save money for for a bit ,repairs ect so there’s enough money in there bank for there pay rises soon
Tell us when they finally blow it up ….
Stop wasting our money …
OK folks let’s guess the rise in Council Tax next year !!!!
New councillors same C —…
Just admit this heap of rubbish is not fit for purpose……
Paying for this heap of junk is a misuse of public money.
Certainly is. There is a certain poetic justice in that this oil burning dinosaur, totally out of kilter with the zero emission vehicles becoming mainstream nowadays, is failing catastrophically.
I think, next year when we’re past the current wave of covid. We should all march on county hall and demand public enquiry with possible criminal action. Time to force the MP to step in.
There will be a few comments on this story, but none we haven’t heard before.
That monstrosity isn’t news anymore…Boring…
Why oh why does this council keep on trying to fob us off with what even they must now realise is a thing that is totally unfit for what it was supposed to be intend for.
The only thing this floating bridge has not done yet is SINK !!.. Fingers crossed it does , and soon !!
The council paid out over £30000 a year wage for a maintenance person to keep the floating bridge going, is it really worth it when there is no change.
This sick fiasco just gets worse by the day, i wish this council would grow a pair and stop pouring any more of our money, which would be better spent on social care or any project that would benefit the people, into this abortion of a ferry, remove it and get rid of it once and for all.
Well what a surprise. My comment was shown but now disappeared into the sunset. Similar to my jokey comment about the story concerning F1 engineering plans to the cooler/ freezer cabinets coming soon to some Co-op stores here on the IOW. That story has disappeared altogether. Seem someone within the Island Echo team has it in for certain posters.
There actually is no consistency in what comments are kept and deleted. One of my postings was deleted i then put it in again and was accepted.
A simple explanation as to why comments are deleted after being accepted would be nice. I’ve followed Island Echo for quite some time now and I stick to what I said about it happens to certain posters. I know a few who have stopped posting because of this.
I hear you brother. X
This ‘vessel’ is clearly not fit for purpose, instead of issuing excuses, let’s see a proper public enquiry, starting with the builders and designers, why the contract was placed. What qualifications did the individuals approving the bid have. What quality assurance controls were in the contract to enable financial penalties to be offset against these continuing mounting costs. And finally let’s look at all the personal connections between Councillors and senior council staff involved in this fiasco and the builders awarded the building contract.
Just re read article …..
Contractors found one serious fault !!!!!
We’ve been telling the Council about the 1 big fault with it since they bought the pile of C—…….
Serious fault is they still waste money on it ….Our money……
We just needed the old one refurbished like the Sandbanks chain ferry not this pile of …., ENOUGH NOW ! not fit for purpose!
No, what’s needed is a permanent pedestrian tunnel there. Floating bridges are from the 1800’s & not fit for the 21st century
My question is is on this fiasco has any independent engineers actually been into the engine room and checked what’s going on I know they keep on saying that specialists are looking but we never hear any more than that just that there’s a problem
When is a decision going to be made on sending this heap of metal back to the builders? Surely someone has got the knowledge and understanding of contracts and potentially of salvage! How many weeks/days has this lump of wasted boat/money been out of service since it was brought into service? What a waste of money and time. Not a good advert to the island!
And meanwhile we are still paying for the jenny !!!!!
Bet they love it the non floating bridge is a fantastic cash cow for them .. …….
Council save money? intention is to charge Mainlanders a few bob to come here! We nothing but a banana republic, full of “good ole boys” anyway, be news worthy if this bloody contraption was actually working for more than a week!1
Thats just perfect timing …nearly a 20 mile trip from east cowes to cowes for work due to the festival (that shouldnt be happening )…..get rid of the bridge and replace it with one designed by the local primary school made of old quality street tins used bogrolls and a hot glue gun (supervised by teacher )..!!
Look on the bright side, this time it is only one of the main engines & once the ‘lengthy job’ of replacing it has been successfully completed in 4 weeks time there surely cannot be anything left to go wrong…..!? Triggers’ Broom springs to mind……..!
Oh, hang on a minute, when did the navigation systems last have a software update……..?!
Wait for it, as we all know the navigation systems on ‘chain ferries’ are particularly complicated…..
Why won’t the council look at putting a pedestrian tunnel there, which would give 24/7 access? This island is going backwards
UNBELIEVABLE What a pile of cr**!
Why is our hard earned Council Tax being wasted as usual by our money wasting Council!
Bless all them festival goers will have to go the long way around