Isle of Wight Floating Bridge out of service again

Reasons for the latest issues have not yet been disclosed, with the Isle of Wight Council expected to issue a statement shortly.

The Isle of Wight Council claims the floating bridge ran for 193 of the 195 days, between January 1 and July 13.

However, it appears that includes days when it ran for a time, before it broke down or was taken out of service.

Cllr Karl Love is far from impressed with the latest floating bridge update

In January, it developed a generator fault, in February it was suspended for tests on the spring tide and in March it was suspended for an afternoon to allow for a ‘guide wheel’ to be fixed.

Then, on July 13, the chain ferry went off for routine maintenance and did not return - after a fault was found with its hydraulic system.

It has had a number of additional setbacks since, culminating in this latest cancellation of services.

In October, we told you more about the financial headache its problems were causing.

Read more: Revealed: The mounting costs of the Island's grounded chain ferry

In its absence, a replacement foot passenger launch covers the route across the River Medina.

In the six months to August, the Jenny boat cost nearly £80,000.