The Isle of Wight Floating Bridge annual refit will take place from Tuesday 5th May to Tuesday 19th May inclusive.

Essential maintenance work is to be carried out on Cowes floating bridge between Tuesday May 5 to Tuesday May 19 inclusive.

The service suspension has been delayed from its usual March timing to ease disruption during recent Horsebridge Hill roadworks on main routes to Newport. With works reaching a less disruptive stage, essential examinations of the guidewheel, hydraulics and lifting eyes must now be carried out, and these have been timed to take place once major works are finished.

A launch service will be in operation for foot passengers and cyclists on all days throughout the duration of the suspension.

The Floating Bridge’s mandatory annual Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspection will also be undertaken during this period, and teams will also take advantage of the suspension to complete general maintenance and remedial works.

The foot passenger and cyclist launch service will operate from 5am to 11pm on all days, with the exception of Sunday May 10 and Sunday May 17, when the service will commence at 6:30am.

It is anticipated that the Floating Bridge will resume service at 5am on Wednesday, May 20.