COUNCILLORS are assessing the results of an independent floating bridge review carried out back in November.

Cllr Phil Jordan says independent evidence shows the project is moving in the right direction, and he has been reassured by what the results have highlighted.

He said the independent review confirmed key measures and management arrangements are sustainably in place to keep the vital service running, and revealed the council will be carrying out the recommendations contained in the review in the coming weeks and months.

This includes a financial analysis of whether or not it is cost effective to keep the current vessel in operation.

The review found parts of the vessel were 'potentially poorly designed' with 'several apparent design inadequacies'.

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The council is also considering the latest news on the legal dispute between the council, the naval architects and the shipbuilder involved in the building of the vessel.

The local authority says all parties involved in the legal case are required to consider a mediated settlement before going to court.

A further delay in setting a mediation date was due to the discovery of significant additional defects on the vessel, which were found during recent repair works.

The date for mediation is now set for the week commencing February 28.

At the request of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, a government-approved independent review examined "significant existing issues" with the floating bridge, and provided a series of recommendations.

The expert review team found the problems with the floating bridge are now receiving effective management attention, and was satisfied that there are clear plans in place to improve the situation.

Councillor Phil Jordan said: "This latest report shows the amount of work that has been going on across many aspects of the floating bridge project, but I am especially reassured by the results the independent review has highlighted.

"We now have the independent evidence which shows this project is moving in the right direction, even though we know there is still plenty of work left to do.

"Floating bridge users will be glad and reassured to see the independent review confirming that the key measures and management arrangements are sustainably in place to keep this vital service running.

"I am happy to accept, support, and confirm we will be carrying out the recommendations contained in the Gateway Five Review in the coming weeks and months.

"One of these recommendations is to undertake a financial analysis showing whether or not it is actually cost effective to keep the current vessel in operation as part of the consideration of any alternative crossing provision.

"Our next steps in the legal process may depend on the responses and commitments of the other parties in the dispute, but I am pleased and encouraged by the most recent news that we have a mediation date in the diaries.

"I am confident in saying that we remain committed to moving the process forward swiftly, to resolve the matter pragmatically and to obtain a fair outcome for all concerned, especially our Island residents far and wide.”