Island residents are being reminded of the remaining opportunities to make their views known about the future of the Cowes to East Cowes floating bridge.
Earlier this month, the council launched a consultation on three possible options for the future of the bridge and so far hundreds of people have taken part via an online survey and at two drop-in sessions held in Cowes and East Cowes.
The third and final drop-in session takes place at the Riverside Centre, Newport, tomorrow (Thursday, 31st July) between 15:00-19:00. All are welcome.
After this session, there are 2 further online opportunities to learn more about the process and have your say. Invites, are below:
7th August, 12:00-13;30 — Join the meeting
12 August, 18:00-19:30 — Join the meeting
If you have any problems accessing the meeting, email [email protected]
The consultation follows an IW Council Cabinet decision in March 2024 to replace the current floating bridge and to develop a new River Medina Crossing Strategy. This includes an appraisal of all viable options and a full business case and financial assessment.
Working closely with specialist marine, legal and financial experts, a long list of options has been assessed resulting in the following options being taken forward for public consultation:
- New vessel option: Replace the existing floating bridge with a new floating bridge.
- Modify existing vessel and/or the operational environment option through a phased approach involving additional control chains and/or tidal flow reduction and/or adding flush thrusters to the existing vessel.
- Do minimum option: Maintain and operate the existing floating bridge with the continued use of the push boat.
There are cost, time, and service implications for each of these options and more information is included in the consultation documents
Download the floating bridge consultation document (PDF, 4MB)
Download the detailed Options Appraisal (OAR) document (PDF, 4MB)
The consultation closes at midnight on 22nd August 2025.
Click the following link to Take part in the Floating Bridge Strategy consultation
A paper copy is available by contacting [email protected]. Add ‘Floating bridge consultation’ to the subject line so we can direct your email.
“The consultation follows an IW Council Cabinet decision in March 2024 to replace the current floating bridge”. Why now in July 2025, 16 months later, having finally made the decision the Public had been waiting for in March 2024, after another expensive Council funded external Consulting firm found the existing craft not fit for purpose, ask for views on what course to take ? Further time wasting by the Council while the current craft continues to operate at a loss – to us the Island Taxpayers. Just get on with it !
Oh foff with this bollocks they have known for 5/6 year what people want be the same in another 5/6 years..
2030 will be a shocker!
Just funny when the main road to cowes was one way and people were using floating bridge all time it never went wrong
Consultation is are a complete waste of time and money.
“Nothing gets done about it”
You cannot ask people for their view’s then tell them they can only vote for the choices we tell you you can have, you cannot ask questions about where the money has gone so far as they hide behind the supposed commercial confidentality excuse which normally equates to someone at the council has their feet well and truly in the trough.
‘Consultation’ is what it says on the tin. Listen then ignore!
I’ve been saying this for years, what is needed is a transporter bridge. Basically a “floating bridge” suspended from cables. Unaffected by tides, cables can be as high as needed for passing boats, and could be a tourist attraction as well as highlighting East Cowes former engineering excellence. Can’t see it being any more expensive than rebuilding a new floater.
New floating bridge. Yeah right! It would undoubtedly take millions to rebuild both slipways to accommodate the new ferry which would take months to complete. Then expect at least another three to four months on trials in all sea and weather states. At this point six to eight months with no ferry would kill the service. All this on top of the cost of a new ferry, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Not going to happen people!