Keeping chain ferry 'would be calamitous waste'

The ferry has been plagued with issues since being installed in 2017

An island authority has been accused of "undermining democracy" after a report proposed keeping its current chain ferry, despite a previous decision to replace it.

The new recommendation from Isle of Wight Council officers to retain and modify Floating Bridge Six at an expense of £400,000 has been condemned as a "calamitous waste of public money" by councillors Lora Peacey-Wilcox and Cameron Palin.

They pointed to an Alliance group cabinet's March 2024 decision to replace the vessel, which crosses the River Medina between Cowes and East Cowes.

The economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee report says a new ferry does not represent value for money and is not affordable.

It follows the council's public consultation on the future of the Floating Bridge which put forward three options: a new vessel, modifying the existing vessel, or maintaining and operating Floating Bridge Six.

The river crossing saves an 11-mile round trip by road.

County Hall has said the 2024 decision also included an agreement to commission a river crossing strategy with an updated business case, so that any purchase "could ensure best value for council tax-payers".

The committee will consider the report at a meeting on 16 October.

The report concludes that the modification of the existing ferry would be 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," it says.

The report's recommendation includes recommending to the policy, finance and resources committee an allocation of up to £400,000 to carry out "further limited modifications" for additional chains.

'Absolutely disgusted'

Lora Peacey-Wilcox, representative for Cowes Medina, said: "Floating Bridge Six is running at a loss of over £1m 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."

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

He said: "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.

It voted last year to replace the troubled £3.5m chain ferry, which has been plagued with issues since being installed in 2017.