Media centre

Wednesday 7 Oct 2026

Plan ahead: Essential Island Line improvement works begin this autumn

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Wessex

• The Island Line will be closed between Saturday 31 October and Sunday 15 November for essential improvement work 

• Further improvements will take place between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St Johns Road between Monday 16 and Sunday 29 November 

• Customers should plan their journeys carefully as buses will replace trains 

Improvement work to keep the Island Line running safely and reliably will take place this autumn. 

South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex engineers will renew ageing track and signalling infrastructure across the Island Line. 

The essential work will reduce the need for short-notice maintenance and help deliver a more reliable service for customers travelling towards the mainline and ferry port, as well as those travelling onwards across the Isle of Wight.  

The line will be closed between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin from Saturday 31 October and Sunday 15 November, as maintenance teams carry out track repairs and improve rail alignment across the route, which will reduce the risk of delays caused by faulty track. 

A second closure will follow between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St John’s Road from Monday 16 to Sunday 29 November. Engineers will install 700 metres of new track between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St Johns Road to provide smoother journeys for customers. 

Customers are advised to plan their journeys carefully, as buses will replace trains during both closures – more information can be found below. 

As part of SWR and Network Rail Wessex’s ongoing support of the Island’s heritage railway, 30 of the track panels that will be removed from the Island Line will be donated to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, which runs from Smallbrook Junction. 

Mark Dunn, Island Line General Manager for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: 

“We’re thankful to our customers for their patience while we carry out these essential works throughout November. These annual line closures allow us to carry out a large programme of maintenance and improvement work that will keep customers moving for the rest of the year, particularly during the busy summer months.”  

What this means for your journey   

Saturday 31 October to Sunday 15 November 

• Buses will replace trains between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade 

• Buses will replace trains between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin, calling at Ryde St John’s Road, Brading, Sandown and Lake 

Monday 16 November to Sunday 29 November 

• Buses will replace trains between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road 

• Train services will continue to run between Ryde St Johns Road and Shanklin 

Journey planners are up to date and customers are advised to plan their journeys carefully.