The Isle of Wight Council Cabinet will hear an update in October about the issues being faced by the Cowes Floating Bridge (FB6) and will be asked to consider commissioning an independent review by the government to determine whether FB6 is fit for purpose.
The Bridge is widely-known for its persistent failures, the most recent taking it out of action for weeks on end. The list of breakdowns and failures since it came into service over four years ago is incredibly long, with ongoing costs sky-rocketing, but the councillor for East Cowes, Cllr Karl Love, has recently said,
“I’m finally feeling confident that a more permanent solution will be found.”
Four-six years for new bridge
For many years, residents, as well as Cllr Love, have called for the bridge to be replaced.
The report to Cabinet will explain that any future decisions taken on an alternative bridge would take a minimum of four to six years to implement.
Legal case ongoing
The report to IWC Cabinet includes an update on the issues being faced by FB6, as well as the legal case which is being pursued against the naval architect, Burness Corlett Three Quays (BCTQ) and the boat builder, Mainstay Marine Solutions Ltd (MMSL).
News OnTheWight has asked the IWC for an update on the mediation meetings that were supposed to take place with BCTQ and MMSL earlier this year. We’ll update once we hear back.
Update: No mediation meetings have taken place yet in relation to the FB6 legal case. No meetings are yet scheduled yet.
A spokesperson for the IWC told News OnTheWight,
“We are continuing to engage with the other parties in the dispute with the aim of reaching a mediated settlement as soon as this can be facilitated.”
Cabinet Office Gateway 5 review
Officers set out the case for commissioning an independent Cabinet Office Gateway 5 review (detail) in order to determine whether the current FB6 vessel is fit for purpose in relation to the original specification, operating requirements and achieving wider outcomes.
This is in agreement with a request from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, who funded the £3.2m bridge.
Essential redesign and reconfiguration works
The report asks Cabinet to approve essential redesign and reconfiguration works to the FB6 to ensure a more reliable service, and in order to reduce ongoing costs.
The October Cabinet meeting takes place on 14th October 2021 from 5pm at County Hall. Find out more about all IWC meetings by visiting their Website.
Article edit
11.42am 8th Sep 2021 – Update from IWC on mediation added
Image: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
