Cllr Debbie Andre, Member for Sandown North, has spoken out following the release of the figures showing the huge losses since Floating Bridge 6 came into service.
She said,
“I’m deeply concerned at the newly released figures showing the losses suffered by the Floating Bridge since its launch in May 2017. Given the ongoing failures of the Floating Bridge, these losses are perhaps not surprising, but it is shocking and shameful that these figures have only come to light as the result of a Freedom of Information Act Request.
“Given the frequent statements from Senior Conservative Councillors that all will be well with the Floating Bridge, the impression is that, but for this request, this information would have been buried and the ongoing attempts to mislead us as to the true position in respect of the Floating Bridge would have continued.”
Floating Bridge is a “dead duck”
She went on to say:
“It seems plain that the current Floating Bridge will never be fit for purpose, but when will Dave Stewart and Councillor Ian Ward either realise or admit this and act to deal with the problem that has so adversely affected residents of Cowes and East Cowes over the last two years?
“When will they admit that the Floating bridge is a “dead duck” and should be replaced with a passenger launch that could provide a regular, reliable and affordable service at a fraction of the cost? Amid calls for his resignation as Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, surely Cllr Ward’s position has now become untenable?”
Andre: Why is Medina Bridge not being pursued if so feasible?
Cllr Andre asks if the council needs to make further cuts, “why are they not scrapping wasteful and pointless exercises like the new Floating Bridge and St Mary’s works” in favour of an alternative plan. She said,
“Both Cllrs Stewart and Ward seem far more concerned with defending the current disruptive and unnecessary works, wasting a considerable Government grant and public funds on carving up St Mary’s Roundabout.
“Cllr Stewart has made numerous statements that he sees the solution to Island traffic problems as being the construction of a bridge over the River Medina. If the Bridge idea is feasible why is that not being pursued? If, as they state, the Council needs to make further cuts, why are they not scrapping wasteful and pointless exercises like the new Floating Bridge and St Mary’s works in favour of such an alternative plan which they seem to be saying would be more cost-effective in the long run?”
Andre: Have they simply lost the plot?
She finishes by saying,
“Are all of these further examples of the failure of this Conservative Administration to sort out any of the Island’s problems with sensible solutions or have they simply just lost the plot, have no plan and are just showing that they are incapable of any joined-up thinking?
“Residents of this Island deserve better.”
Hutchinson: Andre should “look to her own group’s failure”
In response to the comments made by Cllr Andre, Deputy Leader of the Isle of Wight council, Stuart Hutchinson, said,
“It’s important to remember that the financing, design and build for Floating Bridge 6 were all overseen by the Island Independent administration; a group which Cllr Andre now leads. If she wants to allocate blame she should look to her own group’s failure. The party in office has responsibility for all decisions made during their term. The incoming Conservative administration has managed the bridge since taking office and has worked hard to correct the problems which have become apparent during service – and these continue to be the subject of ongoing legal advice.
“All of the costs of the floating bridge are and have been publicly available through the Council’s website which provides information from 2012 onwards and have been reported previously. Any additional subsidy in recent years shows the present administration’s commitment to maintaining the link across the river whilst it addresses faults in the vessel it inherited. We are doing everything necessary to support the service for the communities of East and West Cowes. In 2019 the ferry carried an average of 34,000 foot passengers and 17,500 vehicles every month and are we are sure the number of users will continue to rise as the service now provides greater reliability and availability. Over the next few years we expect income from the service to recover all the money invested to put it right.
“The Council also recognises the importance of a permanent Medina crossing between Newport and Cowes. It has allocated funds for a feasibility study to deliver this and work on it has already started.
“In respect of Cllr. Andre’s comments on the St Mary’s roundabout works, these are being paid for by government grant not local taxpayers, but we shall nevertheless ensure that we get value for every pound spent. These works are just one step in a programme of junction changes to ease traffic congestion in Newport. The design has been prepared by qualified Highways engineers and both the design and improved traffic flows independently validated by others.”
Article edit
11.15 28/10/19 – Comment from Deputy Leader added
Image: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
