Bridge Battle — Councillors Take Aim At Council Over 'Calamitous' Ferry

Councillors Cameron Palin and Lora Peacey-Wilcox are calling for the immediate replacement of Floating Bridge 6.

The public statement of intent comes after Isle of Wight Council staff recommended keeping the troubled vessel — despite overwhelming expert advice, public opposition, and a previous cabinet vote in March 2024 to replace it.

Cllr Cameron Palin, East Cowes Town Councillor, said:

“I am absolutely disgusted.

"Expert advice, the democratic cabinet decision, and the community are all clear — yet officers are trying to keep Floating Bridge 6 afloat.

"Enough is enough. Our community deserves better. We need a new bridge.”

Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Cowes Medina Councillor, added:

“Floating Bridge 6 is running at a loss of over £1 million a year, with spiralling maintenance costs and collapsing public confidence.

"Keeping it is a calamitous waste of taxpayers’ money.”

The vessel has already cost an extra £9 million on top of its original £3.2 million purchase and £1.4 million slipway works, with no end in sight.

Despite consultations, public meetings, and drop-in sessions over the past year, residents of Cowes and East Cowes have repeatedly called for a brand-new bridge — a demand council staff appear set to ignore.

Cllrs Peacey-Wilcox and Palin are urging the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee to reject the officer recommendation, take the project out of bureaucratic hands, and oversee a turnkey procurement process for a reliable, cost-effective replacement built by qualified experts.

In a joint statement issued by the pair, they said:

“Staff are falling for the ‘sunk cost fallacy’, throwing good money after bad. 64% of residents support a new bridge.

"It’s time to scrap Floating Bridge 6 and deliver a bridge that works — for the economy, the community, and the future of Cowes and East Cowes.”