The Isle of Wight Council say that the troubled Cowes Floating Bridge should return to a full service by mid-October – after more than 13 weeks of suspension.
In a statement released this evening (Monday), the local authority has said that Floating Bridge No. 6 will return to the water in the week commencing 9th October, before returning to a full service for the start of half term on 17th October.
It’s said that the hydraulic rams have been removed, stripped down, inspected and have been rebuilt; the hydraulic system has been flushed and repairs to the hydraulic pumps and motors are nearing completion. The extent of work required to one of the motors has caused some further, unexpected delay.
A council spokesperson has said:
“We share the frustrations of the local community about the issues with the vessel and ability to provide a reliable service across the River Medina and apologise for the continued delays and ongoing disruption to the service”.
The council will continue to provide the launch service for foot passengers will continue to operate from 05:00 – 23:00 (06:30-23:00 Sundays) until the vessel returns to full service.
When will this fiasco finally end?
Delay after delay after yet another delay.
Will it actually start back in service on the new date?
I fear not.
Just like a turd that wont flush, this piece of s**t keeps on coming back. Ditch it NOW. Build a bridge, a tunnel, a zipwire, a swinging rope, whatever – ANYTHING other than this will be better. I am heartily sick of my coin being wasted on this vanity project.
Don’t bother, people have managed without it for months anyway. Have it as an art piece, or a reminder for how idiotic the council have been. The little boat that couldn’t.
Park it at the top of the quay the council can use it for new offices. After all they will get some use out of it
Yea ok!!! April fools in Sept
I suggest a trial of the boats capabilities. Send it out into the middle of the Solent with the Isle of Wight Council on board. If it sinks, the Isle of Wight residents will just have to struggle on without it or the Council. A mixed blessing or a maybe a win win?
It makes a good skip if anyone needs to get rid of a load of rubbish
Give it a week and it will break down again.LMFAO
If nothing else, it should be officially named HMS White Elephant. So dire now, it is actually funny.
How about IWC White Elephant. I am sure the Royal Navy don’t want this thing, except for target practice.
Are they talking about this October, or next?
Good point, you just never know with this Council what to expect, but if it benefits the people its supposed to represent, then it will be a total waste of money and never work.
Back in service……..but for how long this time before something goes wrong???????
I call for a public inquiry into the Council’s total mishandling of this whole fiasco and the designer and builder. Someone should be held to account.
Why take so long to fix hydraulics – ferries,ships,link spans etc all have them yet if they fail they are fixed in hours/day’s not 3+months. Could of got another second hand floaty and upgraded / refurbished in that time!.
I am now opening a book offering 1000-1 that it is in working order on that date NO CHANCE
Still no comment from Burness Corlett Three Quays who gave the technical specifications
on this piece of rubbish.
For two days.
Please please council do the decent thing tow this heap of crap out to sea and let navy use it as target practice please
Build a bridge