AN ISLE of Wight opposition councillor still wants the authority to buy back the old floating bridge.

Last week the council said they had ‘absolutely no plans’ to buy back to the bridge and refit it in the Medina.

But East Cowes Cllr Karl Love said he had met with the owners of Floating Bridge 5 on several occasions in recent weeks, and thought it was possible the old chain ferry could be brought back into service.

The former bridge is still moored in Gosport and for sale, with the price on application. A spokesperson for the owner, Apollo Duck, said there had been significant interest from abroad and the vessel could soon be sent overseas.

Cllr Love said: “If it were possible to bring back the old bridge, even if it was only a temporary solution until the new bridge issues are resolved, then it would go some way to restoring confidence in the service.”

He said he did not know if it would be feasible, but he was prepared to listen to the different options.

He said it was a mistake to sell off the old bridge before it was known whether the new one would work properly.

He said: “I’m very happy to hear other people’s suggestions and, from what I have heard in my discussions, there is a credible option which any council should be willing to listen to.

“Of course this alternative might amount to nothing but one must consider it when presented with the current catastrophic situation.”