Council reaches confidential settlement in ‘floating bridge’ dispute

Isle of Wight Council and the two companies involved in designing and constructing a 'floating bridge' beset with mechanical issues have now agreed on a confidential settlement, two years on from when the dispute first began.

The local authority initiated pre-action legal steps in September 2020 after the troubles left the chain ferry, which connects Cowes and East Cowes, out of action for most of the summer.

At the time, a council report said the ferry was taken out of service in July for delayed scheduled maintenance. A major fault with the hydraulic system was identified while undergoing tests before returning the vessel to service.

The report added that the shipbuilders and their approved contractors had advised the vessel should not return to service as originally planned as this risked further damage.

It said that the council had received legal advice and considered that some of the performance issues the vessel had suffered were a result of the "failure" of the two companies contracted to design and build the floating bridge – Burness Corlett Three Quays and Mainstay Marine Solutions – to comply with the council's requirements as set out in its contracts with the companies.

The floating bridge eventually returned to service in December 2021, following extensive repair work.

Just before its return, Cllr Phil Jordan, Isle of Wight's Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said he was confident that the modifications carried out would "prove to be very positive and assist in preventing future breakdowns of a similar nature".

In a statement on the outcome of the mediation, a spokesperson for the council said: "The Isle of Wight Council, Burness Corlett Three Quays (Southampton) Limited and Mainstay Marine Solutions Limited can confirm that a full and final settlement has been reached at mediation to end the legal dispute between the parties relating to Floating Bridge 6."

"It has been agreed that the terms of the settlement should remain confidential, and no party will make any further statement relating to the terms of the settlement agreement."

Adam Carey