The Isle of Wight Council is trialling an independent drive wheel operation system on the troubled Cowes Floating Bridge in a bid to improve the service during all tides.
Island Echo is told that the brand new system, which effectively acts as a method of steering, is being installed following drawings from SEC Marine – subcontractors of Wight Shipyard. The East Cowes-based Wight Shipyard Co was appointed by the Council in July 2018 to work towards resolving the issues faced by Floating Bridge No.6 since entering service in May 2017.
The new system allows each chain to be individually braked, giving much more control over the vessel’s direction and chain depth.
It is hoped that the independent drive wheel operation will allow the Council to do away with the £194-an-hour tug boat that is used to push the floating bridge during spring tides.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“As part of investigating ways of improving the clearance over the floating bridge chains at all states of the tides, one option being considered is an independent drive wheel operation. This is currently in the process of being installed and trialled.
“This option has been designed by an accredited firm of naval architects, and will be assessed following the completion of the trial.
“At this stage a completion date for the trial has not yet been finalised.”
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Who ever passed this heap of shit should be charged with neglect. Really!!! Trials after all this time, then probably try to shift the blame.
I’m surprised they haven’t called it ‘planned maintenance’…..
He’s still at the council, should of been sacked for incompetence over its purchase, and all the other failed ideas they have throw at this heap of junk.
Anyone who buys something and finds it doesn’t work initially sends it back for a refund – obviously common sense didn’t prevail here!
Young Bobby the “con” MP will sort it out
Don’t remember the old floating bridge needing a £194 an hour tug boat to help it in certain tide conditions. Why didn’t the council just make an exact replica of the old bridge which was perfectly adequate?
The old one was sponsored by a marine paint company, free paint job when ever needed or just free paint.
Lost that when this heap of junk was purchased.
Seems everyday it’s costs more and more.
£194 an hour tug boat is this a joke? the council sure know how to waste public money how much has been payed out for this tug boat so far???? Someone must know?
Useless crap whatever the do
Waste of money & time
Buld a bridge over that river. Should have done it years ago. Simples
Probably the same accredited architects that built this piece of useless costly junk for the council…watch this space and our council tax again then
It could have been better to retro fit thrusters
In my time as a coach driver,it was said by most drivers that the best thing about Wales was the way out,but obviously with No 6 floating bridge was wrong in this case,so the local council plan is hit the locals with a night time car park tax,only a £1 this year but wait till 2020 any forecasters.
I have heard a rumour that the bridge was not in fact built for the Isle of Wight, it was built for somewhere else and the order was cancelled. The Isle of Wight council then bought it to use here. Whatever the truth is, due to its size and configuration, it was never going to work properly here and probably never will. With all the money that has been, and continues to be, spent on this totally worthless bridge, they could have built an underpass there by now and done away with the bridge altogether.