The UK’s Network Rail has announced that the Island Line on the Isle of Wight, serving the route between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, will fully reopen on 2 May 2025.
This follows a programme of repairs and refurbishments on the historic Ryde Pier.
The line has been closed between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head since 6 September 2024, with Network Rail and South Western Railway engineers working to restore and fortify the pier structure.
The upgrades are designed to enhance the resilience of the pier and railway line against extreme weather conditions.
Before the formal reopening, the entire line will be closed from 26 April to facilitate final preparations. During this period, replacement bus services will be provided.
The line is set to reopen four days ahead of schedule, with the first service departing from Ryde St Johns and arriving at Ryde Pier Head.
Network Rail Wessex route renewals director George Murrell said: “I’m delighted that we’re going to be able to fully reopen the Island Line early and in time for the May bank holiday, which we know is a busy and important time for the island’s tourism industry.
“We’re now on the home stretch of this work and while I know it will be disappointing, we will need to close the line for the week preceding the resumption of services to finish the final pieces of work, safety checks and prepare the railway for the first service early on Friday 2 May.”
In January this year, Network Rail revealed proposals for substantial upgrades at Manchester Oxford Road Station in the UK as part of the station’s remodelling scheme.
