Full Island Line services have returned to the Isle of Wight following eight months of refurbishment work at Ryde Pier.

Services from Ryde Pier to Shanklin are now running again following a complex programme to repair the historic structure.

The line between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head had been closed since September 2024 while teams of Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) engineers carried out vital repairs and maintenance to ensure the pier can carry trains safely and reliably for generations to come.

Over the past eight months, engineers have installed 590m of new rail and replaced 450 worn-out wooden sleepers with new composite sleepers which are more resilient to the extreme weather. 

The teams also installed 2,500m of new rail bearers – the steel girder that sits between the pier sub structure and the sleepers and rails – and refurbished the underside of the pier sub structure.

The pier service reopened on 2 May, which came four days earlier than planned, after the entirety of the Island Line was closed for a week, while final preparations were completed.

George Murrell, Network Rail’s Wessex route renewals director, said: “We’re aware this has been a long project and I’m grateful to the support we’ve received and patience and understanding from businesses, residents and the wider Island community.

“The Isle of Wight deserves a safe, reliable and high performing railway and the completion of this significant and complex programme of vital repairs and maintenance will greatly support us in meeting this aspiration.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to the many engineers and colleagues who have worked so hard and in all manner of weather conditions to complete this important work ahead of schedule.”

The programme of repairs was carried out by Octavius Infrastructure.

Conor Wilcox, project manager at Octavius Infrastructure, said: “For Octavius there is the satisfaction of an engaging, rewarding project delivered ahead of schedule and on budget. In addition to the trains running along the pier once more, Ryde’s legacy includes innovations that have taken on a life beyond this project and supporting some of the island’s businesses.”