Those opposed to charging on the Floating Bridge at Cowes are concerned the council’s consultation doesn’t make clear a number of issues that would inform those completing the survey.
Campaigners highlight issues ignored
Several of the points they have raised include:
- Charging pedestrians WON’T MAKE MORE MONEY for the Council, due to attrition, the cost of pensioner bus passes for those who go around by bus or to Newport instead, cars driving around due to slower crossings (loss of CURRENT profit & more Newport traffic), and the cost of ticket production and collection. It would be nowhere near the £400K they predicted….it may even lose them money!!!
- Council tax is NOT used to pay for the floating bridge. It is publicly run, but completely paid for by private monies through vehicle tolls. The new bridge will be paid for by Central Government, according to the Leader of the Council.
- PROFIT: the floating bridge already makes a BIG profit for the IW Council.
- The current profit is being used for things like beach clean up and has not been set aside for the replacement of a new floating bridge in 30 years’ time (and it could be)
- The floating bridge functions like a road, and we are pedestrians.
- There would be fewer crossings as the ticket collection slows the floating bridge down during the busy times. This risks pedestrians not wanting to use it as well as, very importantly, losing current money from cars when they get frustrated waiting and drive around.
- Charges on the bridge would ruin East Cowes and massively impact the shops in Cowes. 50p is unaffordable to many residents in Cowes and East Cowes.
- The survey is extremely poorly worded in favour of charging. This is a huge problem.
- There are so many more issues – queuing for tickets, children not having IDs to prove that they are children, health and safety issues….the list goes on!!
New Facebook campaign
A Facebook Page has been set up to draw attention to the council’s proposal to introduce 50p each way foot passenger fares on the Floating Bridge at Cowes and is gathering momentum.
Named ‘NO Pedestrian Charges on the Floating Bridge’, the Page has attracted almost 350 likes in the last week.
Next protest
The next protest to the proposal is planned for Tuesday 30th September on the East Cowes side of the floating bridge at 5pm.
Residents are being urged to join others to show their opposition to the proposed foot passenger fares.
Article edit 12.10:
Amended date of next protest from 20th to 30th.
