CAMPAIGNERS battling for a better floating bridge service connecting East Cowes with Cowes claim the new £3.2 million vessel is not fit for purpose — and never will be.

The bridge is set to return to service on Monday for a trial period which will give the IW Council a chance to see if problems which have plagued the vessel have been fixed.

They include problems with the chains, groundings, noise and cars being damaged when they are driven on and off the bridge.

However, campaign group, 'Floaty Stakeholders' claim the new bridge cannot be fixed and instead, the IW Council should commission a new vessel.

In a statement, they say: "A faulty or difficult-to-operate bridge will only get worse with time. Don’t accept this floating bridge. The best decision is to get a new one sorted now."