Recommendation To Keep Floating Bridge "Calamitous", Say Councillors

The Isle of Wight Council has been accused of “undermining democracy” after a new report proposed keeping the current Floating Bridge, despite a previous decision to replace it.

A new recommendation from County Hall officers to retain and modify Floating Bridge Six, at a further expense of £400,000, has been condemned as a “calamitous waste of public money”.

Councillors Lora Peacey-Wilcox and Cameron Palin labelled the move a “direct attempt” to “undermine democracy” and pointed to an Alliance group cabinet’s March 2024 decision to replace the vessel.

An economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee (ERTIC) report says a new chain ferry does not ‘represent value for money’ compared to other options and ‘is not affordable’.

It follows the Isle of Wight Council’s public consultation on the future of the Floating Bridge which put forward three options: a new vessel, modifying the existing vessel and/or the operational environment or maintaining and operating Floating Bridge Six.

The Alliance cabinet’s 2024 decision also included an agreement to ‘commission a River Medina Crossing Strategy with an updated business case, options appraisal, output specification and procurement strategy’, County Hall has said.

This was so that any purchase ‘could ensure best value for council tax-payers’.

ERTIC members will consider the report, which includes an Options Assessment Report from consultants SYSTRA, at a meeting next Thursday (October 16).

It says:

“The conclusion is that in making a case for change, the modification of the existing Floating Bridge Six (Option Two) would provide for a higher value for money outcome and is therefore the preferred option from the perspective of maximising the economic and social benefits of the crossing.

“This is primarily due to the significantly higher capital cost of the new vessel option when compared to the modify option.”

The report’s recommendation to ERTIC includes recommending to the Policy, Finance and Resources Committee an allocation of up to £400,000 to carry out ‘further limited modifications’ to Floating Bridge Six for ‘additional chains’.

Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, representative for Cowes Medina at County Hall, said:

“Floating Bridge Six is running at a loss of over £1 million a year — thanks to endless repairs, a yard full of spares, spiralling maintenance costs, and a total collapse of public confidence in the service.

“As former council leader, I made sure we secured mediation funds and ring-fenced them for a future bridge — not to be frittered away on consultations that tell us what we already know.

“Floating Bridge Six is not fit for purpose. Keeping it is a calamitous waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Cllr Cameron Palin, who represents Osborne ward on East Cowes Town Council, said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the report.

He told the press:

“Despite a democratic cabinet vote, expert advice from world-renowned engineering consultants 3s, and clear feedback from the local community, officers are trying to keep Floating Bridge Six afloat.

“Throughout this process, council staff have put up one obstacle after another to stop councillors from delivering a new floating bridge.

“Enough is enough — our community deserves better, and we deserve to be listened to. We need a new bridge.”

The Isle of Wight Council has been approached for comment.