MAJOR engineering works will take place on the Island Line and Ryde Pier starting in September.
From Friday 6 September to Sunday 6 October, the Island Line will be closed in its entirety from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin while Network Rail and South West Railway engineers complete a large programme of vital maintenance.
The programme includes track and bridge renewals between Ryde St Johns Road and Ryde Pier Head, renovations to a historic footbridge at Brading, signalling works at Ryde and bridge repairs in Sandown.
Rail replacement bus services will operate between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin throughout the closure.
Engineers will also continue work to repair and preserve the historic Ryde Pier structure, which began in October 2022. The pier will close to trains on Friday 6 September 2024 and is expected to reopen in early May 2025, in time for the summer holiday season.
In order to maintain connections with ferry services, a minibus shuttle service will operate between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade throughout the closure, while train services will operate every 30 minutes between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin.
Tom McNamee, Network Rail Infrastructure Director, said:
“Part of the track and infrastructure on the Island Line has become life-expired and extreme weather is contributing to the acceleration of the degradation of the railway.
“Our planned maintenance will ensure we’re able to keep running services safely and reliably while our ongoing programme of upgrades to the steel structure and track between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade stations will preserve and strengthen the track and infrastructure for future generations.
“We recognise there is never a convenient time to close the line, but we have waited to do so until after the important summer period and we would like to thank local residents, businesses and customers in advance for their patience and understanding while we complete this important work.”
Mark Dunn, South Western Railway's Island Line General Manager, said:
“We’re sorry for the disruption that this month-long closure of the Island Line will cause our customers, however, it is vital that this wide range of work is completed to ensure that the Island Line can operate long into the future.
“Due to the complex nature of the repairs and refurbishments at Ryde Pier, which aims to give the historic structure a further 60 years of use, a further long-term closure is required. Buses will replace trains between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade for approximately eight months, between September 2024 and May 2025.
“Once again we’re sorry for the disruption that our customers and stakeholders on the Island will experience, and we thank them for their continued patience.”
