Island Line to close for 3 months of improvement works

Engineering works will be taking place on the Island Line in 2021. South Western Railway has announced the work will take place from 4th January until 31st March 2021 ready for the introduction of the new Class 484 trains.

No services will run while the work is carried out. In what will be the biggest transformation since the line was electrified in 1967, the work includes a new passing loop which will be installed at Brading. This will allow a regular 30-minute service to run.

Platforms will be upgraded to improve the access onto the Class 484 trains, the track will be upgraded to improve the ride quality and new ticket machines will be installed at Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde St John’s Road.

While the works are carried out, buses will run between Shanklin and Ryde Esplanade. Passengers using the Wightlink ferries will find a minibus operating along Ryde Pier.

Class 484 South Western Railway — Credit: South Western Railway

Alan Penlington, Customer Experience Director, at South Western Railway said:
“This is a very exciting project for Island Line and will transform travel on the Isle of Wight. Whilst this work will be disruptive, we will keep our customers moving with replacement buses.

“Upon completion of this critical work, we will be introducing the Class 484 trains into service, providing modern spacious interiors, free on-board Wi-Fi, at-seat charging points, and dedicated wheelchair spaces.

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“The new passing loop at Brading will also allow us to run a service at regular 30-minute intervals, providing better connections to ferries to the mainland.”

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