The stricken floating bridge could be off for a month, but the Isle of Wight councillor in charge of transport denies it will be anything like the thirty weeks being suggested in a Facebook post today (Thursday).

The comment was posted to the Floaty Mcfloat Farce social media group.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The chain ferry, that links Cowes and East Cowes, went off for maintenance on July 14.

Read more: Floating Bridge out of action for ten days - from Tuesday

It was due back on July 24, but a last minute delay prevented its return.

Read more: Floating Bridge still grounded as Isle of Wight Council issues update

Further delays were then announced by the Isle of Wight Council.

On Monday, the local authority revealed there was a major fault with the multi-million pounds vital link between the two towns.

Read more: Major fault found on Cowes floating bridge — delaying its return to service

Apologising, a council spokesperson said: "While undergoing tests, a major fault with the hydraulic system has been identified.

"Once the system fault and the required replacement parts have been identified, the aim will be to return the service as quickly and safely as possible.”

What has the executive councillor for transport said?

The fault has yet to be determined, which means no timeline has yet been agreed for the return of the floating bridge, executive member for transport Cllr Ian Ward has told the County Press today.

He said, engineers are investigating a ‘hydraulic malfunction’ and although a number of timescales have been suggested, none are for as long as 30 weeks. 

East Cowes councillor blasts bridge - and council colleagues

East Cowes councillor Karl Love said: “Local councillors in Cowes and Whippingham are saying nothing publicly about this disastrous bridge, the distress caused and the financial impacts for our communities. 

“Businesses have had their workforce disrupted, costing them many thousands of pounds in additional travel costs.

“The operating times of the replacement launch are inadequate. 

“This administration gloats about its investment into Venture Quays, but who would invest in a town and community without a guarantee that the infrastructure is reliable.”

Meanwhile, motorists have been dealing with jammed roads between Cowes and Newport, held up by work to transform the St Mary’s roundabout into a junction.

Read more: Chaos from Cowes to Newport: Have you been sat in traffic today?

Isle of Wight County Press:

Traffic queued outside St Mary's hospital on Monday

The launch service for foot passengers will continue to operate from 5am to 11pm (6.30am to 11pm Sundays), the Isle of Wight Council said.