Travel · Rail, Channel & ferries · 3 November 2026
Island Line to close for essential track and signalling works
Network Rail has announced that the Island Line will close in two stages this November for essential improvement works. Buses will replace train services during the closure periods, which are scheduled to run from 31 October to 29 November.
Network Rail has scheduled essential improvement works to renew track and signalling infrastructure on the Island Line, beginning on Saturday 31 October 2026. The programme is part of South Western's Improving your railway plan. Mark Dunn, Island Line General Manager for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: "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."
The first closure affects the line between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin from Saturday 31 October to Sunday 15 November. During this period, buses will replace trains between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade, and between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin. A second closure follows between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St John’s Road from Monday 16 to Sunday 29 November for the installation of 700 metres of new track.
Passengers should note that services will be disrupted in different ways during the second phase. Buses will replace trains between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road, while trains will continue to run between Ryde St Johns Road and Shanklin. The work is classified as essential, and the annual line closures are designed to complete a large programme of maintenance.
30 track panels removed from the line will be donated to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway as part of the project. The announcement does not specify the exact start times for the bus replacement services or any additional compensation details for affected passengers.
Written by StreetOwl from Network Rail’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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