It’s been out of action since the end of August, but the Cowes Floating Bridge is now finally back up and running – but the question remains… for how long?
The troublesome vessel was taken out of service almost 4 months ago on Thursday 26th August. The Isle of Wight Council initially thought that the chain ferry would be suspended for 4 weeks, but it soon became clear that the problems were much more serious than first thought.
During the lengthy repairs, the opportunity was also taken to make a number of modifications and upgrades to the vessel designed to improve reliability. This includes modifications to the prow which has been the cause of previous failures.
Over the past few days, trial runs have been taking place across the River Medina between East and West Cowes. As a result of successful staff training and the official sign off by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, paying passengers are once again being invited on board.
The service resumed operations at 05:00 this morning, however, many sceptical Islanders have been questioning how long the floating bridge will be able to run for before breaking down – as it has done so frequently since being launched in 2017.
Over the festive period a revised timetable is in operation, as below:
- Christmas Eve – 05:15 to 00:30 (next day)
- Christmas Day – 08:00-14:00
- Boxing Day – 07:00 to 00:30 (next day)
- 27th December – 05:00-00:30 (next day)
- 28th December – 05:00-00:30 (next day)
- 29th December – 05:00-00:30 (next day)
- 30th December – 06:30-00:30 (next day)
- New Year’s Eve – 05:00-01:30 (next day)*
- New Year’s Day – 06:30-00:30 (next day)
- 2nd January – 05:00-00:30 (next day)
- 3rd January – 05:00-00:30 (next day)
- 4th January – 05:00-00:30 (next day)
* The last crossing from East Cowes will be at 01:10, the last crossing from West Cowes will be at 01:20
Can island echo please find out how much has been spent on repairs since it went into service? And how long it has been out of service in total?
also what action will be taken on the designers and builders of the Wight elephant to and recoup ALL OF THE tax payers money and any out of pocket expences ,
Lets see how long this will stay afloat and how much increase the Council plans to add on to the ferry crossing
Anyone running a book on when the first grounding will occur?
I’m going for the next low tide!! Stop wasting our money and build that bridge over the river.
I will be surprised if it doesn’t breakdown at least once and be out of action prior to the 31st December – assuming it lasts today.
I am offering 10-1 it’s not working by January 1st
Very optimistic of the council to post a 12 day timetable … any thoughts ??
Give it 2 days!
Or by xmas day!!
4 months out of service, with it’s past record more like two years! Never really been in service to count long enough or to make a mark as a service. Such a joke!
We do without it for so much of the year why bother to keep it .Keep a launch for the foot passengers and the cyclists and get rid of it i expect it would be more cost effective .If its unreliable you cant depend on it so you would drive around anyway its not that far.
Amazing how they get it working for : Christmas and New Years, Easter, Festival, and middle of summer…. shame users don’t just boycott using it..
i for one will not be using this untrustworthy ferry
bet it doesn’t last until New Year
Be quick if you want to use it ,the elastic band can’t last for long !
If it sounds to good to be true it usually is
It will be a Christmas Turkey soon enough! Gobbling up our taxes, liberally scattered about by the council, and turned into droppings!