£60,000 Floating Bridge Consultant Spend Branded “Unnecessary”

The Isle of Wight Council has come under fire after it was revealed more than £60,000 has been spent on consultants to advise on the future of the troubled Cowes to East Cowes Floating Bridge.

A Freedom of Information request showed the authority paid £60,257 to multinational group SYSTRA, appointed to lead a review of all options for the crossing.

The council said the process was “competitive and transparent”, adding it was important to explore every viable solution and ensure value for money.

But the spending has sparked criticism from councillors.

Council leader Phil Jordan admitted he was “dismayed at the costs being incurred”, saying:

“I would have hoped that the cabinet decision taken a long time ago to replace this vessel would have been enacted without the added complications of undertaking a new review.”

East Cowes councillor Karl Love went further, calling the expense “totally unnecessary” and describing the public consultation as “pointless” and “crazy”.

“We could have built a new vessel by now or been close to its introduction,” he said.

A consultation on three options — replacing the vessel, modifying the existing one, or simply maintaining it — closed on 22 August.

Responding to the criticism, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said there was “strong public interest” in the project and stressed the authority had to follow government rules.

“Rushing ahead without following due process would risk delays, legal challenges and wasted public funds,” they added.

The review, which includes input from marine engineering specialists Beckett Rankine, remains ongoing.