The troubled Cowes floating bridge, beset with problems from the day it hit the water, could become the subject of a legal dispute.
The Isle of Wight Council could pursue legal action against Burness Corlett Three Quays (BCTQ), which provided the technical specification for the bridge, and said the vessel did not meet the requirements it put forward.
Catalogue of problems
Floating Bridge No.6 launched in May 2017 but had to be withdrawn from service after less than 48 hours after suffering an electrical fault in the middle of the river, leaving passengers stranded on board for hours and having to wade through the water.
The new bridge is the latest incarnation of a 160-year-old link between Cowes and East Cowes. The chain-link ferry travels across a 80m stretch of water, and has been operated by the council for 120 years.
Leader: Bridge ‘did not fit the requirements’
Leader of the Isle of Wight council, Cllr Dave Stewart, said the latest bridge did not fit the requirements drawn up by the council.
He said:
“That’s partly why we are having issues with it. That’s my view, but that will be tested in a legal environment.”
The council are at the beginning of a legal process, which could see the designers taken to court if mediation is unsuccessful.
Leader: I’d like a good bridge, one that’s good and reliable
Cllr Stewart said:
“I’d like people to recognise what they did or didn’t do, and appreciate the impact that had on the community. I’d like a good bridge, one that’s good and reliable.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be perfect. We do recognise that nothing runs perfectly all the time.”
BCTQ: Not responsible for design of bridge
In a statement, BCTQ said it was a world-leading naval architecture, marine and electrical engineering consultancy that had been established for over 60 years.
It said,
“During this time BCTQ has provided technical advice on a number of similar assignments operating in the UK.
“At the outset of the Floating Bridge 6 project, BCTQ entered into a technical consultancy agreement with the IW Council.
“Under that agreement, BCTQ was required to review the existing floating bridge, and provide a technical specification for a replacement.
“That technical specification included a broad concept of a new floating bridge, including a statement of requirements.
“BCTQ were also required to provide technical support to the IW Council in a number of ways throughout the build process, all of which was discharged to a high degree of care and skill.
“BCTQ was not responsible for the design of the floating bridge.
“Moreover, BCTQ did not build it, and BCTQ does not operate it.
“As a consequence, it would not be appropriate for BCTQ to comment on matters relating to the design, construction or operation of the floating bridge.”
More to follow.
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