The Cowes Floating Bridge has been taken out of service tonight (Wednesday) due to a mechanical fault – a fault which is not expected to be repaired until tomorrow afternoon.
Shortly before 21:45 a hydraulic ram on the vessel developed a issue whilst on the Cowes side of the River Medina. This has resulted in the inability to operate the prow.
The Isle of Wight Council have taken the decision to withdraw the troubled Floating Bridge No.6 from operations between East Cowes and West Cowes.
A launch service is currently shuttling foot passengers across the river and will continue to operate tomorrow morning (Thursday).
It is hoped the Floating Bridge will resume a normal service at some point tomorrow afternoon (Thursday).
UPDATE THURSDAY – Following repairs to the Cowes Floating Bridge, a normal service will resume from 12:00 today.
Getting beyond a joke!
I agree.
What a utter waste of time and money, this whole new Floating monstrosity is. Why they did not build it to the original’s spec I will never understand. The original was sold or traded in for this utter rubbish. I will never go on this heap of junk, I’d rather drive round to either East or West Cowes.
Don’t worry, our MP will sort it out!
You can’t educate pork
Yet again it’s a total joke it should have been given back to the company that made it as it’s not fit for purpose time the council got tuff with these companies what with this and island roads (euro company) it’s costing the island tax payers yet again
They all need to be voted out.
Will be cheaper to just build a new floating bridge or retractable bridge than continuing with the repairs to this terrible design and waste of money.
What a waste of money this has been.
Get rid of it! Load of shite!
Fed up hearing bout it now!!
The project by now has failed, who wants to pay for all the issues.. Those in control of the public purse strings in my view are an unaccountable local authority. A few individuals who most likely enjoy this project as it gives them ‘work’ to do and flex within in a very lucrative job role.