Essential maintenance work is to be carried out on the Cowes Floating Bridge later this month in advance of an expected increase in visitor numbers to the Island during the summer holidays.
During the work, which is scheduled to start on Tuesday 14th July and last 10 days, there will be a replacement passenger launch service between Cowes and East Cowes – with the necessary COVID-19 measures in place, including social distancing, face coverings and contactless payment.
The planned maintenance work is to replace segments on the vessel’s 2 main drive wheels as well as complete noise mitigation measures. It is envisaged it will take around 10 days, with contractors working extended hours to complete the maintenance as soon as possible.
The scheduling of the essential work is designed to ensure it is completed before the end of July, so the service is up and running for a busy August, and the remainder of the summer and into the winter months.
Passengers currently using the floating bridge, including school pupils, will be able to switch to the launch while the works are carried out. The launch will be able to accommodate up to 25 passengers each trip on its shuttle service between 05:00 and 23:00 and face masks must be worn. There will be a floating bridge foot passenger ticket collector to marshal users appropriately.
Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Ian Ward, said:
“It has been very difficult to time these works without affecting users of the floating bridge, but we have endeavoured to do so with the aim of all being in place for a return of the service during the peak season. We apologise for any inconvenience during this time.
“The work had been difficult to schedule earlier in the lockdown period, as we wanted to maintain the service as a priority for those needing to cross the Medina, especially key workers, while the Red Jet was not in operation.
Article continues below this advertisement “The replacement launch service will provide a regular Medina crossing while the works are undertaken, including catering for any pick up in foot traffic in the post-4 July lockdown easing period.”
Although schools will not finish their terms until later in July, there are currently a low numbers of pupils using the floating bridge.
Any passengers with concerns or questions are asked to email [email protected] or visit www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk.
What idiots, they have had 3 months when usage has been greatly reduced to do maintenance, as much as I disagree with an influx of holiday makers whilst covid 19 is still a very real risk to the Island population the timing is ridiculous
The company carrying out the work had all staff furloughed during the Pandemic peak. Like most companies!
joke of a floating Bridge
Joke of an Island due to the idiots managing it.
What a waste of good money..
cost must be running close to 10million by now
Biggest pile of embarrassment to the Council, I honestly do not even rely on it & wont ever again, this didn’t happen with the old reliable chain ferry that you could always rely on & it made such a lovely chug chugging sound, to be honest I have found the new one so utterly unreliable I haven’t even been on it yet !!!!
What I want to know is the answer to the question ‘Why are those responsible for this farce not looking for new jobs?’ Looks like a big cover up and time the person in the top chair, and his minions, were long gone. No wonder this council have no money – they have no management either. Their own fault but you and I get the blame (more CT every year).
Quote: replace segments on the vessel’s 2 main drive wheels
So, does this mean they were NOT up to the task in the first place?
Wonders when the Councillors will be posting, seeing as we have done an excellent job over the last year, we are voting ourselves a 20% pay rise ! ! !
Experts stated that it would take months if not years to get back to normality after covid_19 and our council managed it in weeks. We must be world leaders in in competency. Get rid of councillors who bought this pile of junk then get rid of Floating Bridge
What a complete fiasco, they couldn’t run the proverbial in a brewery, a complete shambles.