Cowes And East Cowes Councillors Make Heartfelt Case For Replacing Floating Bridge

Calls to replace the troubled Floating Bridge 6 gathered momentum last Thursday (October 16), as councillors from both sides of the River Medina made a passionate plea for a brand-new vessel.

The mayors of Cowes and East Cowes, along with Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, addressed the Isle of Wight Council’s Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee (ERTIC) before members voted to explore the market for a replacement ferry — rejecting a recommendation from council officers to modify the existing bridge instead.

An officer report had claimed that upgrading the current chain ferry would offer “better value for money” and that a new vessel would be “unaffordable” under current borrowing rules.

However, councillors voted to procure expert advice and invite potential suppliers to propose new solutions, with key priorities including sustainability, operation from the current location, and a minimum of five return crossings per hour.

East Cowes Mayor Tracy Reardon said the bridge had become “an unacceptable burden on public finances,” costing taxpayers close to £1 million per year.

“Its operational failures and financial inefficiencies are well documented,” she said.

“This is not sustainable and not justifiable.”

Cowes Mayor Stuart Ellis said both public and council opinion were clear:

“The community wants a new bridge. It’s deeply troubling that this recommendation seemed to disregard the democratic will of councillors and the public.

"Residents deserve a reliable, functional crossing — and transparency on how decisions are made.”

Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox added:

“This is eight years of chaos, time and money wasting. Floating Bridge 6 is not good enough and never will be.

"It carries fewer cars and pedestrians than its predecessor — and our local businesses and communities have suffered because of it.”

Responding to concerns, Colin Rowland, the council’s Strategic Director for Community Services, said the officer recommendation was based on expert technical and financial assessments, noting that the current vessel has achieved around 95% reliability over the past two and a half years.

ERTIC’s decision now paves the way for the council to begin exploring potential replacement options — a move welcomed by campaigners who say the Island deserves a crossing it can finally rely on.