The Isle of Wight Council has this evening (Sunday) announced the floating bridge will return to service at 05:00 tomorrow morning having had both prow hinges strengthened.
The vessel has had its prow and hinge mechanism on the Cowes side repaired and the decision was taken to also strengthen the East Cowes side while the floating bridge was out of the water, to minimise the risk of having to take the vessel out of service, should a similar problem arise during the St Mary’s Roundabout roadworks.
As a goodwill gesture, the council is offering the floating bridge Saver Card at no cost for the duration of the St Mary’s Junction Improvement works, instead of the usual £2 fee to buy one.
The saver cards provide discounted travel on Cowes floating bridge.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:
“Now the floating bridge is back in service, it will provide an easy and valuable option for Cowes and East Cowes commuters, during the St Mary’s roadworks, as well as supporting the economy of those communities.
“I would also like to thank the staff and engineers who have worked tirelessly to make sure the vessel returned to service ready for Monday.
“I also hope people will take advantage of the free Saver Card offer, as it is the cheapest and simplest way to use the floating bridge. It works in the same way as the Oyster Card in London, with cash credit stored in an online account which deducts money as and when it’s used.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The floating bridge current timetable can be found at iwfloatingbridge.co.uk/timetable
Saver Card Offer
Once registered, the Saver Card gives a considerable saving to floating bridge users, in comparison to the casual ‘pay as you go’ rate.
Cards are available from Rashley’s convenience store, Park Road, Cowes and Halls Convenience store, Ferry Road, East Cowes.
Cards must be registered online for the savings to apply.
For more information about the Saver Card, visit: iwfloatingbridge.co.uk/saver-card
I wonder just how long this troubled ferry will be able to run before breaking down Yet Again!! Probably right in the middle of the ‘improvements’ to St.Mary’s roundabout. I wonder just why the council think it’s a good idea to change the system which seems to work ok now!! What will happen if there is a traffic light failure that was experienced earlier this month further down the road towards Coppins Bridge, more gridlock!!!!
From 5 tomorrow lets see how long it will take before another issue stops it from being in service lol
What a pity the offer gave nothing to the current saver card holders who have been so in convenience.
Nice to see it back in service still I give it 48 hours before next break down
That long!
18++ months continuous service? Hmmmm
There’s one word I’d use for our leaders here on the island ‘incompetent’?! They like our politicians just do not listen to real people. The floating bridge is one big white elephant that’s not fit for the job. St’Marys roundabout isn’t broken?! So don’t fix it. But they have all failed to hear the voices of those who they suppose to represent. You are all hopeless goons.
That’s an insult to Goons, these idiots are much worse!
Best only buy a SINGLE ticket, as likely broke when you want to ‘return’.
What’s the odds it breaks down by Friday ?????
“As a goodwill gesture, the council is offering the floating bridge Saver Card at no cost for the duration of the St Mary’s Junction Improvement works, instead of the usual £2 fee to buy one.”
oh wow!,.. so magnanimous of them,.. a whole £2 in compensation for all the hassle caused by their unbelievable incompetence. (both the ridiculously unreliable floating bridge, and the totally unnecessary St Mary’s roundabout fiasco)
You still have to purchase credit to put on the card so it is not even compensation in the way that one normally understands it. You just don’t have to pay quite so much for the pleasure of hoping the service will be running. Crossed on it late this morning, for the first time in months and it seemed to be working fine despite the exceptional high tide and associated strong tide velocity. Looks like there are extra restraints on the chains now, unless these were installed a while ago.
Just been reading how they may be making it cashless… Talk about strong arming,… It’ll be DNA samples to cross next…,, it should be FREE..!!