Work to preserve and improve the Island Line’s historic Ryde Pier to begin this autumn

Ryde Pier

Last updated: 10 July 2023

Work to preserve and improve the Island Line’s historic Ryde Pier began in Autumn 2022.

Together with Network Rail we are working on a complex programme of vital maintenance and improvements on Ryde Pier, to keep Island Line services running long into the future.

To carry out life extension work, which aims to give the pier a further 60 years of life, the line between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade was closed between October 2022 and July 2023. 

During the closure, engineers installed a new weather screen to protect customers from the elements at Ryde Pier Head station, replaced 172 metres of track, installed 143 metres of new steel rail bearers and re-painted Ryde Pier Head station.

To complete the upgrade programme the line between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade will need to close again at a later date.

We're working closely with Network Rail to determine dates that will cause the least amount of disruption for Island Line customers. 

We'll update this page when more information comes in. 

The need for the works

In stark contrast to today’s modern design and construction methods, the railway structure of the pier was built between 1878 and 1880 by Victorian engineers. After nearly 150 years of harsh environmental conditions, which have caused parts of the structure to deteriorate, it now needs major refurbishment and repairs.

The 686-metre-long pier is split into six ‘zones’ which were built using several different forms of construction. There have also been both major and emergency repairs in the last 60 years. As a result, engineers will have to use a variety of methods to repair the pier, with a combination of both partial replacements and full refurbishments of the metal and timber structure.

FAQs

Will I still be able to travel to and from the Isle of Wight during these works?