FLOATING Bridge 6 has chalked up staggering losses of almost £1 million since it started service — leading to calls for the Isle of Wight Council's transport cabinet member to resign.

A Freedom of Information request, submitted to the Isle of Wight Council in September, has revealed the £3.2 million vessel has continually lost money when comparing income with costs — £36,388 in 2016/17, £547,991 in 2017/18, £301,293 in 2018/19 and £64,112 in the first five months of the current financial year.

In 2015/16, when the previous floating bridge was in service, it turned a profit of £120,452.

Floating Bridge 6 came into service in May, 2017, but was out of action within 48 hours. Since then, it has repeatedly been pulled from service due to ongoing problems.

It has cost the council £149,000 to use a barge, Seaclear, to push the floating bridge across the river, and more than £181,000 to provide a launch service for foot passengers.

A council spokesperson said: "Any additional subsidy in recent years represents the council’s commitment to maintaining the link between East and West Cowes while it attempts to resolve challenges with the new vessel.

“The council has not hidden from these challenges and the costs incurred in fixing them. Both continue to be the subject of ongoing legal advice.

“In the meantime, the council will do all it can to support the service for the communities of East and West Cowes and is sure the number of users will continue to rise as people start to recognise the service’s reliability and availability."

However, Cllr Karl Love, East Cowes ward councillor, has been a vocal critic of what he describes as the council's 'secret service approach' and has branded the financial losses 'unacceptable.'

He said: "Any right-minded business manager would identify the current operation is not viable or sustainable and would look to be making significant changes and decisions about its operation and future.

"This is an essential service to business and Island people. It’s been turned from a profit making service to one that makes big losses, yet Cllrs Dave Stewart and Ian Ward claim it’s a 'good reliable service' — which is contrary to the evidence.

"What is this administration not telling us? What continues to drive them, pressing on with this failed model of operation and design?

Cllr Love said transport cabinet member Cllr Ward should resign over the failures.

He said: "He has made too many promises. We have received every kind of explanation but still no solutions.

"With some personal regret, I ask Cllr Ward to step down from his governance of the transport and infrastructure cabinet portfolio."