£3m investment plan for floating bridge

A NEW chain ferry linking East Cowes and Cowes will be up and running by the end of 2014 — and it is hoped an Island firm will win the £3 million contract to build it.

The Isle of Wight Council has set aside £3m in February’s budget to replace the ageing floating bridge and is already preparing for tendering so the design and building contract can be drawn up.

A safety inspection of the current bridge by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is set to take place in March which may result in the process being brought forward to 2013.

Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr David Pugh said the authority would be looking for innovative designs and the new bridge would hopefully reflect the council’s existing Ecoisland agenda.

He hoped an Island firm would win the contract to design and build the new bridge and he could not rule out a private contractor running the service in the future.

However, any future contract with a private firm would include safeguards ensuring foot passengers and cyclists would continue to travel for free.

He said: "Obviously we have to go through the proper procurement process and we have both UK and European laws on bidding but we will be strongly encouraging Island firms during the tendering process. We have the skills and expertise on the Island."

The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Edward Giles, who represents Whippingham and Osborne, said: "I am delighted we have been able to agree to provide capital funding for a new floating bridge. The current ferry has been in service for over 35 years and is coming to the end of its working life.

"We anticipate going out to tender on the basis of a design-and-build contract. We shall be looking for innovation in the design and technology for the new ferry and hope it will last as long as its predecessor has done."

East Cowes councillor, Margaret Webster, said: "Everyone in the town will be delighted."

Cowes mayor, Cllr Rebecca McGregor, added: "This is, of course, fantastic and very welcome news for both sides of the river."

The current floating bridge came into service in 1976 and cost £280,000 to build. It carries 1.5m cyclists and foot passengers annually as well as around 400,000 vehicles.

See the County Press website