WORK to improve the noise level at the Cowes to East Cowes floating bridge has had an instant impact, said an Isle of Wight council spokesperson.

A rubber 'shoe', costing £8,106, and a mesh mat, costing £3,391, have been installed on the West Cowes side of the bridge to lessen the sound of the ramp hitting the slipway.

Council leader cllr Dave Stewart visited the floating bridge yesterday (Monday) to inspect the work.

He said: “The initial test results tell us the noise has been reduced, so it appears these solutions are working very well. This is certainly good news for our neighbours near the bridge and is part of a concerted effort to further improve the service."

The next stage of improvements will be to design a solution that will ensure the floating bridge can operate in all tides and that work continues to achieve this in partnership with the vessel’s designers and Wight Shipyard.

Cllr Stewart added: “In the meantime, I would like to thank the floating bridge’s staff for their professionalism and hard work in making sure the vessel is the very best it can be while the last remaining major issue is solved.”

Cllr Stewart, who was joined by cllr Ian Ward, Cabinet member responsible for the floating bridge, added the service worked well in August, operating for 91.5 percent of its scheduled operating hours.