Essential renewal work: Major engineering on the Island Line from Saturday 18 October to Sunday 16 November 

Route(s) affected

All Island Line services

Description

Engineering work is taking place on the length of the Island line from Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November, and between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St Johns Road from Monday 3 to Saturday 15 November, closing all lines. Background information on this work can be found below.

Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November:

Buses replace trains between:

• Shanklin and Ryde Esplanade

• Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head

Monday 3 to Saturday 15 November:

Buses replace trains between:

• Ryde St Johns Road and Ryde Pier Head

Sunday 16 November:

Buses replace trains between:

• Shanklin and Ryde Esplanade

• Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head

Background information:

During these full and partial closures of the Island Line, engineers will be carrying out essential renewal work.

Tamping (lifting the track and consolidating and aligning the ballast beneath) will be carried out along the whole of the line to ensure a smoother ride for customers.

In the Ryde area the switches and crossings at Ryde Esplanade, which allow the trains to change track, will be replaced. Rails will be replaced through Ryde Tunnel between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road. Also the refurbishing of Ryde St Johns Footbridge will be carried out.

Network Rail are carrying out the above work (and more) to ensure that the Isle of Wight continues to have a functioning railway, serving passengers from the ferry port to the south east of the island, and keeping islanders well connected to the mainline. More information on this essential work can be found on the Network Rail website.

Check before you travel:

If you are travelling on or before Sunday 2 November, you can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner

If you are travelling on or after Monday 3 November, these changes are not currently shown in the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner, please check back nearer to the time of travel.

Replacement bus travel advice:

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and set-down location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.