Cowes Floating Bridge chain ferry set for week-long halt for refit

The council said preventative wear and tear works carried out in December meant its refit would only last a week

An annual refit on a chain ferry will see it stop for a week.

Cowes Floating Bridge, which runs between Cowes and East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, will be out of service between 4 and 11 March.

Isle of Wight Council said the refit would see hydraulics, guidewheels and prows on the vessel inspected and replaced.

The authority said the work would only last a week due to "pro-active maintenance" carried out in December.

It added the on-board information and communications technology (ICT) system would also be refurbished and the vessel would be prepared for its annual Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspection.

A launch for foot passengers and cyclists will run while the ferry is out of service but drivers face a 12-mile detour via Newport.

The £3.2m ferry has been beset with issues and breakdowns since it started service in May 2017.

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