THE Isle of Wight Council has no plans to buy back the old Cowes Floating Bridge.
Responding to rumours the authority was looking to buy back the old bridge and refit it in the Medina, a council spokesperson said today (Friday) it was ‘absolutely not true’.
The former floating bridge is up for sale with Apollo Duck, and is currently moored in Gosport.
The listing for the bridge says:
“Could be put back into service or possible other options houseboat, restaurant, conversion to a sink dock.”
FB5 “could soon be sent overseas”
A spokesperson for Apollo Duck said there had been ‘significant’ interest from abroad, and the boat could soon be sent overseas.
The price is to be discussed on application.
A report published by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) revealed the problems plaguing the new, £3.2 million vessel has cost more than £6.4 million so far.
Within that, £539,000 has been spent on a replacement launch service.
Petition to scrap FB6
At the start of last month, an online petition called on the Isle of Wight Council to scrap the troubled floating bridge and build another.
The petition gathered over a thousand signatures.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which OnTheWight is taking part in. Some additions by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Allan Marsh
