By Isle of Wight ObserverExperts will fit a “noise minimising shoe” to the Cowes Floating Bridge on Wednesday (September 19) in the latest round of work to ensure the vessel is working at peak performance.
The rubber device, made by Wight Shipyard, will attach to the ramp on the West Cowes side of the service and, in conjunction with rubber matting installed earlier this month, it should further reduce noise and vibration when the bridge docks.
To undertake the fitting, the Floating Bridge will be out of service from 7am to 7pm on Wednesday (September 19).
The shoe will then be tested over the coming days to gauge its effectiveness.
“Work is progressing well on making sure the Floating Bridge is the best possible service and one that is less noisy for residents living nearby,” said Isle of Wight Council leader Councillor Dave Stewart (Niton, Chale & Whitwell).
“After the shoe is installed, it will be tested to make sure it does what it is designed to do and we look forward to receiving those results.
“We are confident that, along with the matting, this will do a great deal to lessen the noise of the bridge on the West Cowes side of the Medina.
“In addition, Wight Shipyard continues to work on designs to enable the floating bridge to be in operation in all tide conditions – the last major technical issue that needs to be overcome.
“We are sorry that the bridge will be out of service for a day while the shoe is fitted but this is a planned stop and one that will ultimately benefit local residents.”
The cost of the shoe is £8,106. The cost of the 22mm Mini Mesh matting made by Dura Composite is £3,391.
