The Cowes to East Cowes Floating Bridge service has been suspended again this afternoon (Saturday), this time for works to change a prow cable.
The chain ferry is out of service for the second day running, having been taken withdrawn from service yesterday after a weld spit.
Today’s suspension is a result of works needing to be carried out to change the southwest prow cable.
A temporary passenger launch service is in operation from lunchtime, and works are expected to be completed later this afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“A replacement launch service will operate for floating bridge foot passengers from 12 noon, following the need to change the south-west prow cable.
“The temporary service will continue while repairs are carried out, but it is anticipated the vessel will return to service later today.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused”
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Meanwhile, traffic is reported heavy entering Newport from Cowes due to the permanent traffic lights at Stag Lane, causing delays.
Island Echo readers have said that Island Roads are aware and sending somebody to investigate.
The Southern Water roadworks which have been carried out under temporary traffic lights at Horsebridge Hill have been removed for the bank holiday weekend.
UPDATE – The Floating Bridge resumed service earlier and was fully operational as of 15:15, the Isle of Wight Council has confirmed.
And so the never ending fiasco continues….what a surprise…
When will this ever end ???
You cannot put a plaster on it and hope for the best it needs major surgery…
ie putting out of it’s and our misery !!!!
Do you think they feel stupid yet?
Nah…. Stupid is as stupid does and you know what they say, ‘you can’t teach stupid’ it just comes naturally!!!!! Every iow resident should remember this when voting in the local elections very soon.
Could you report when this money pit is actually running instead?
The Stag Lane lights are a complete waste of time and money. They were put in on the strength of a Vestas expansion that never happened. Still, only public money – why worry?
Someone needs to be held to account for the problems to this thing (sorry ferry) I still say scrap it and spend the money on doing to old faithful one up.
We are NOT interested in that idiotic floating bridge……Sink the dam thing..
Another launch service in operation more of our council tax going out to sea.
Sick to death of hearing the automatic couldn’t give a toss “we apologise for any inconvenience caused”
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IWC.
Not just iwc that do it Read island roads twitter feed every tweet ends in that automatic empty drivel “we apologise for any inconvenience caused” which basically translates to “we really don’t care and couldn’t give a flying toss (middle finger emoji)”
More money being spent on this useless pile of metal…. why ???
Yawn yawn yawn , why don’t they try And mend it, I am no civil or marine engineer but why don’t they put some new propeller’s on it and a new front gate so the water won’t keep getting in?
Here we go again, a never ending story and again and again.
Seems it will fall apart in no time at all now.
Its costing us the council tax payers a fortune, enough is enough.
Think the councillors should start paying for this useless piece of junk out of there own pockets now
This abortion is not fit for purpose and should be got rid of, you cannot plan to use it as you never know what is wrong with it.
It’s an absolute joke
I think IOW residents should be given access to the entire number of invoices the council have had to pay out on this ‘not fit for purpose’ POS!!!
Surely all these things should be taken care of during the annual servicing., Were they missed or ignored? Surely these parts should last longer than they do?
The Bloating Fridge Saga (a serial in infinite episodes), our very own overhead sewer system, our unique train service – operated by buses, and our chain of derelict hotels.
We don’t half spoil our tourists !!
I would love to see tis pile of c**p towed out into Sandown bay with stewart and ward lashed to the bow and have it used for live fire target practice by the navy, people would pay to watch the thing sunk with that pair of clowns on board.