From Saturday 18 October until Monday 17 November, vital improvements work will fully then partially close the Island Line on the Isle of Wight.
The whole Island Line will be closed from Saturday 18 October to Monday 3 November. From Monday 3 to Monday 17 November, trains will only run between Ryde St Johns Road and Shanklin, while additional upgrades are carried out in the Ryde area.
During the closures, engineers will complete the following works:
- Replacing the switches and crossings at Ryde Esplanade, which allow the trains to change track
- Replacing rail through Ryde Tunnel between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road
- Refurbishing Ryde St Johns Footbridge
- Improving the fencing on Rink Road, Ryde to make the railway safer
- Tamping (lifting the track and consolidating and aligning the ballast beneath) along the whole line to ensure a smoother ride for customers
- Vegetation management to reduce the risk of trees falling onto the line and of leaf fall impacting services
- Detailed track inspection to check for areas that need repairs and improvement
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, George Murrell, Wessex Route Renewals Director, said: “We know how important the Island Line is to the local economy, particularly during the busy summer season. We have chosen to carry out these works in the autumn to minimise their impact as much as possible.
“By having these closures, we can carry out these extensive improvements, allowing the Island Line thrive for years to come.”
“During the closures, we advise customers to check before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys, as rail replacement buses will be in operation. We are sorry for the disruption.”
Image credit: Network Rail
