The return of the Floating Bridge could be delayed once again – despite already being pushed back to November – after further issues were identified.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the Cowes to East Cowes service has been out of action since the end of August when a major fault with one of the engines was found. It was expected to come back this month (October) after the council was advised to replace the drive motor.
The extent of the damage was greater than anticipated, however, so the service’s return was pushed back to mid-November, but now another hold up in the return is on the cards.
Speaking after the corporate scrutiny committee on Tuesday, Cllr Phil Jordan, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport said there was a new fault with the chain-link ferry, which ‘came as a bit of a shock’.
He said:
“Both of the shafts that sit on the drive have gone. We are not aware of the extent of it, whether they are repairable or if they have to be replaced but they are specialist parts, they are not off the shelf.”
Confirming work on the troubled vessel is well underway, a council spokesperson said further issues had been identified which may impact the completion date. They included the condition of the brake units and the delivery of replacement parts, which were outside of the council’s control.
The spokesperson said the authority was committed to ensuring the service could resume as swiftly and safely as possible and sought to reassure residents it was doing everything possible to achieve that.
While the vessel is fixed, a passenger launch continues to operate.
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, which provided the funding for Floating Bridge 6, has requested an independent government review be undertaken to determine whether the bridge is fit for purpose and is delivering the outcomes set out in the business case.
It has requested the investigation, which could cost between £10,000 and £15,000, be completed by December. The council says it remains in close contact with its specialist contractors and will provide a further update in due course.
Push it back to where it was built and give up with it…..waste of time & money
“Both of the shafts that sit on the drive have gone”. Been nicked?
Let’s have a fixed bridge or a tunnel that can be used any time night or day.
i agree but these Clowns know they will lose the revenue from the floating bridge , and this has cost the tax payers thousand s,We are all now just Peed off with this floating disarster.
This vessel should be displayed outside I.O.W Council Offices .My concern is if and when there will be a independant goverment enquiry arranged by the The Solent local Enterprise Partnership that it will open a can of worms ,and so the ratepayers deserve a full explanation ,and a reduced council tax ,
the
solent
You buy cheaply, you buy twice. Should have built a bridge and got rid of this anachronistic method of transport in the first place. – nothing but a deep embarrassment to the island and an insulting drain on our wallets. Heads should roll.
Hopefully this White Elephant will be pushed back so far it cannot return .
the I.O.W Councill are very stubborn and wont listen to inteligant rate payers
How long does it take ????
Before the numptys that commissioned this pile of NON floating junk …..
Realise that you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a PIG!!!!!!!!!!
What about the £38-000 spent on the experts who were supposed to keep it Running ?????
Think you really need to stop making excuses and ACT now …..
Oh dear, our sad, nevermind.
They should put it to a public vote. Keep on repairing it or buy a replacement similar in design to the old proven model, after all, it’s our money going down the drain, let the people decide.
The people shoulds now decide and NOT ThIS COUNCIL ,enough is enogh, we should also plan ahead and spend on a fixed link, all proceeds from the outcome of this legal investigation , should be invested back into a fixed link ,and i do hope this investigation is still ongoing,too avoid any further reprocusions at a latter date.
Bit of a shock !!!! REALLY ! From the beginning this heap of rubbish has been plagued with faults, this is hardly going to stand the test of time & last for years like the simple old chain ferry design. Surely we are not going to throw more money at this disappointing let down of a ferry ? When will somebody be held accountable for this ?
When will somebody be held accountable for this? – never, basically. It is quite clear that no matter who is in charge of the council on this island nothing will ever change, because they are all incompetent. Anyone with a brain would have given up on this joke a long time ago, however no matter how many faults are found the council will just continue throwing money down the Medina… The only way to get rid of this piece of junk is for a very large public protest at the council offices. That won’t happen either because the general public are too apathetic, and will continue to put up with this nonsense.
Wish the council would listen to the locals and build a bridge further down river and scrap fb 6 forever.
If the shafts have failed they were obviously never designed properly in the first place, same with the brakes, this mess just goes on and on.
I fully agree with other posters that the council should put it to public vote, we are paying for it so should be the ones to decide whether or not to abandon it and stop wasting our hard earned money.
It is now time to lobby the Council for a referendum on the future of this floating disarster ,I.O.W Council dont even bother to spend any more money ,that will be wasted .
drive moter and 2 drive shafts failed were is this from toy town
There should be a full investigation by an independent party to look into this fiasco. Someone needs to be held financially responsible, not us council tax payers. Have any of the councillors got any links to the builders of the “bridge” or the repairers? This needs to be looked at and people to be held accountable
I take it then that all people who commented on this issue which has being going for a lfe time havnt got a voice because wouldn’t you think by now certain people in office would listen to the people who have to pay every day for a rubbish service but no they keep trying to fix this rubber duck where the money could have been spent on a bridge further down
You really couldn’t make it up !!