Users of the Cowes floating bridge have raised concern at the news reported today, that it may be outsourced to private organisations and foot passenger charges introduced.
A County Press report from last week’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee reveals that the council are in talks with two private organisations to run the floating bridge.
At the meeting, they say that Steve Beynon, council chief executive told the committee, “During all of our initial conversations with private sector organisations, when we tell them what our charges are they smile.”
Private organisations considering charging foot passengers
Apparently council leader, David Pugh, also indicated that both organisations had expressed a desire to charge pedestrians to travel on the floating bridge.
As readers will remember, there was high public outcry at the proposal by the council to introduce foot passenger charges earlier in the year. After reflecting on the strength of feeling against the charges, led by residents but with support of Waitrose, the council dropped the proposal
Sources
No to Floating Bridge Charges Facebook Group
Article in the County Press
Image: © Paul Hargreaves
