Over £60,000 in Isle of Wight Council spending on consultants for advice on the Floating Bridge’s future has been criticised as “totally unnecessary” and “crazy”.
A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed £60,257.08 was spent on commissioning multinational consulting group SYSTRA, exposing continued divisions over the matter at County Hall.
Appointed to explore ‘all viable options
SYSTRA was appointed through a ‘competitive and transparent’ procurement process to explore ‘all viable options, engaging with industry experts and ensuring value for public money’ regarding the future of the East Cowes to Cowes chain ferry, a council spokesperson said today (Thursday).
In March 2024, an Alliance group cabinet decided to replace the troubled vessel and commission a River Medina Crossing Strategy with an updated business case, options appraisal, output specification and procurement strategy.
The council has said this is to ensure any purchase ensures ‘best value’ for council taxpayers.
Public consultation
Its Floating Bridge public consultation, which put forward three options including a new vessel, modifying the existing ferry and/or the operational environment or simply maintaining and operating it, finished on 22ndAugust 2025.
But when approached for comment on the cost of SYSTRA’s commissioning, leader of the council and the Alliance group Phil Jordan said he was “disappointed” with how long it has taken to “progress this matter efficiently” and “equally dismayed at the costs being incurred”.
He said,
“I would have hoped that the cabinet decision taken a long time ago to replace this vessel would have been enacted without the added complications of undertaking a new review of the crossing and service.”
Love: I don’t see any progress being made
Meanwhile East Cowes county councillor Karl Love said,
“This is a totally unnecessary cost as it was clearly stated at the March 2O24 cabinet meeting, by the leaders of the council, that the Floating Bridge was going to be replaced, not modified.
“I don’t see any progress being made to that end in replacing it. We could have built a new vessel by now or been close to its introduction.
“The consultation is a pointless one lacking in substance and constructive useful questions…a step backwards to a time prior to a decision made to replace Floating Bridge Six.
“This is crazy, throwing our settlement funding away in this manner.”
“Strong public interest” in the future of the Floating Bridge
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said it understands there is a “strong public interest” in the future of the Floating Bridge.
They said,
“As with any major infrastructure investment, the council is required to follow a formal process set out in government guidance. This was clearly outlined in the cabinet report from March 2024 and includes exploring all viable options, engaging with industry experts, and ensuring value for public money. That process is ongoing.
“The council appointed SYSTRA through a competitive and transparent procurement process to lead this work.
“As part of their bid, they included Beckett Rankine, a respected marine engineering consultancy, to provide the necessary specialist expertise.”
A “normal and appropriate approach” for a “project of this complexity”
The spokesperson said this is a “normal and appropriate approach” for a “project of this complexity” and that it was legally required to procure in line with the Procurement Act 2023, “treating all suppliers fairly”.
They added that “rushing ahead” without “following due process” would “risk delays, legal challenges and wasted public funds”.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
