A date has now been set for the long-awaited mediation process on the troubled Floating Bridge.
A government report said parts of the vessel, which has been in and out of use since 2017, were potentially poorly designed with several apparent design inadequacies.
The Isle of Wight Council is entering into legal mediation with those who designed and created the Floating Bridge.
2nd March 2022 has now been announced for that to take place but it will only be after the mediation has been settled that the council will decide what its next actions will be.
If the mediation does not result in a ‘fair and acceptable settlement’, Councillor Phil Jordan, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said the council would not hesitate to instigate further legal action ‘without delay’.
When questioned about a potential decision in March at Tuesday’s corporate scrutiny committee by councillors Cameron Palin and Joe Robertson, Cllr Jordan said he was not commenting on what the council are prepared to do until the mediation process was over.
Cllr Palin, the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils representative, had asked whether the authority was still on track to make a decision about appointing an independent organisation to manage improvement works or design a new bridge. Cllr Jordan said the council will not say either of those things with a mediation process upcoming.
A new floating bridge, however, was something Cllr Jordan and the new administration had not ruled out.
The mediation process over the £3.2 million ferry has been continually delayed, with initial suggestions it would take place over a year ago under the previous administration.
Since the Alliance administration took control in May, Cllr Jordan had previously said they had instructed officers to set a date in November last year, which turned into December and is now scheduled for March.
Cllr Jordan is quite rightly keeping his powder dry in advance of mediation. It’s staggering how long m’learned friends can make this process hang out.
Was Cllr Jordan’s permission sought before he was superimposed smiling in front of this heap of overpriced scrap?
not a photo anyone would want dredged up in years to come is it Phil?
Floating Bridge N06??????? I pray there is not another 5 of these things hidden some where
Who remembers Ventnor boating lake “COME IN NO 6 YOUR TIME IS UP” what a debacle
I think we all can see the outcome of this farce, the council have failed spectacularly.
I dont understand why the Council again want a mediation ?, a letter in 2019 from Dave Stewart to me read after questioning him regarding the problems with the floating bridge and the amount this floating bridge is costing the tax payers, did assure me that he was UNABLE TO COMMENT at this stage owing to a ONGOING legal dispute
The Council should instigate legal action NOW instead of just playing for time in the hope that this heated argument would just disappear ? lets see if this mediation in March goes ahead