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Julia Hill, East Cowes
I am delighted that the Cabinet have agreed to undertake further work to find alternative savings that would not require the introduction of passenger charges on the floating bridge.
The town and its economy would have been crippled by the former proposals and this decision recognises the Cowes-East Cowes link as a crucial strategic route for all of North Wight and beyond, as evidenced on the evening of the 25th of January, when, following a serious accident the floating bridge became the only route from parts of Newport and Cowes (including the hospital) to the East of the Island.
Baffled at rejection of free postgraduate consultancy
However, Councillor Giles on Tuesday night dismissed the possibility of Post-Graduate students undertaking a FREE professional calibre consultancy to look at future options for the floating bridge and its wider transport, social and economic role.
He described it as an “interesting project for students”, but said that it is;
“not a piece of work that the IW council need to commission at present, however the council will seek an appropriate design solution”¦”¦.. from builders should it be decided that a direct replacement of the ferry is affordable and the best solution in the future. We see no value in”¦”¦.a project of this nature”¦. but what we do foresee is if we decide to go out to tender those bidders that put in bids will be asked to come up with appropriate design solutions as part of the bid that they put in”.
Researchers are highly qualified
These students are people who already have a University Degree, are working on a Masters or a Doctorate and who have access to researchers, industry and other professionals all over the world.
Students at this level are at the forefront of the latest research in their field and this type of consultancy is tried and tested at universities world wide.
Disappointing response from council
It is disappointing, to say the least, that the IW Council are not even prepared look at a proposal, given that Cllr Pugh has again tonight criticised campaigners for not presenting cost cutting alternatives.
Given the trend of expensive consultancy fees to the IW Council I wonder if they would rather wait a year until these people no longer hold the title Student so they can hire them at an extortionate cost to the tax payer?
Julia Hill, East Cowes
