From D. Burdett, East Cowes:
Why do the IW Council officers appear to have little regard for the residents of the Cowes and East Cowes area?
The floating bridge was taken out of service on January 2.
Here we are approaching a major event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the heavy bombing of the town and the protection provided by ORP Blyskawica on May 4-5, and still no replacement bridge installed.
The community has been hard at work making preparations to receive the visiting Polish Navy and their ambassador and provide residents with exhibitions to recount the terrible events that we remind ourselves should never be allowed to happen again.
Have the contractors been working as hard on the new slipways for the floating bridge?
It would appear not. From observations we are lucky if we get 40 hours’ work a week out of the contractors. The excuse of tidal work was short lived and a long time ago.
It looks unlikely the ferry will be installed before the programme of events starts on Thursday evening.
To aggravate the situation the last launch will run at 10pm, just as residents are leaving the concerts, so they will be faced with a ten-mile journey home if they live on the other side of the river.
A local IW councillor has enquired about the situation but has received no reply.
If our elected representatives have difficulty in ensuring residents’ needs are taken into account the future quality of life does not look good.
The situation does not only affect local residents. The absence of the floating bridge must be having some impact on Newport traffic.