A new chain ferry remains a possibility, say leading Isle of Wight Councillors, after a settlement was reached in the long running row over Floating Bridge 6.

The Isle of Wight Council's Alliance Group says it wants a working floating bridge that is fit-for-purpose and will help local businesses, improve connections, alleviate road traffic problems and restore overall confidence in the service.

It has revealed it is planning engineering and economic reviews, while Floating Bridge 6 continues on the route between Cowes and East Cowes.

As the Isle of Wight County Press reported yesterday (Thursday), a full and final settlement has now been reached between the local authority, Burness Corlett Three Quays (Southampton) and Mainstay Marine Solutions, however details have not been released.

What's so bad about the Isle of Wight's Floating Bridge 6?

Since day one, the most recent incarnation of the chain ferry has been plagued by problems.

The £3.2 million boat was installed in 2017, but on launch day, even the first cars off scraped their bumpers on the slipway.

Since then, it's had electrical failures that have caused it to stop halfway across the Medina River, hydraulics issues, problems dealing with the strong tidal requirements of the river, which have required a second boat to steady it, and costs have been racked up on a replacement launch.  

In April, it collided with a wall and windows were smashed when it was caught on the tide as it returned from an inspection.

(Video by Noel Brooks)

The Isle of Wight Council started legal action to get back some of the money it has lost.

There have been years of talk and a government report, that said the vessel was 'potentially poorly designed' with 'several apparent design' issues.

Now, Cllr Phil Jordan, Cabinet Member for Transport Infrastructure says the idea of replacing it altogether is under serious consideration.

He said: "There are a number of factors which must be looked into - such as computer modelling of the river and specific engineering audits to include the current status of the chain pits and depths - before we can finalise any viable solution.

"Whatever we do to make this floating bridge service better, reliable and more frequent, we must do it correctly. The Alliance is working as quickly as circumstances and process allow, but, above all, we must get this right.

"We want to work with professional project management transportation engineering experts to advise the Council professionally and we must, and want to, use local island engineering expertise where possible.

"We need to be sure that whatever is done next is done correctly,
professionally and with certainty so we have a fit-for-purpose floating bridge that will
operate efficiently for the next 25 years and more."

(Video: The Floating Bridge seen in September, when it was cancelled for a time)