The conclusion of engineering work on the Isle of Wight and in Cornwall has allowed trains to return to the lines between Ryde and Shanklin, and between Par and Newquay.

Island Line has been dogged by repeated closures in recent years, often in connection with work on Ryde Pier, even though residents and visitors had been promised a much better service when the line was modernised, gaining trains converted by Vivarail to replace elderly former tube stock. The present fleet once ran on the District line, but it is 30 years younger than the trains it replaced.

What is hoped will be the last closure has ended after another month of possessions on Island Line. Engineers have replaced rails in Ryde Tunnel, which can only be kept dry with pumps. They also renewed points at Ryde Esplanade, upgraded fencing, tamped the whole line, dealt with vegetation to reduce the likelihood of fallen trees blocking the line and carried out a detailed track inspection along the route.

Network Rail Wessex route renewals director George Murrell, also speaking on behalf of South Western Railway, said: ‘We would like to thank passengers for their patience over the past month while we carried out these vital improvements on the Isle of Wight. By having the whole line closed, we have been able to carry out extensive maintenance and assessments over the whole line and can make immediate improvements where possible.’

Meanwhile, a line in Cornwall has also been closed for repeated possessions this year so that Network Rail and its contractors could complete tests on new digital signalling.

The work along the Newquay line, including an additional platform at the terminus and another passing loop, should have allowed the service to be doubled in frequency in May this year, but problems with commissioning the new signals and associated equipment such as axle counters have delayed the improvements, part of Mid Cornwall Metro, until May 2026. It is not yet known when a promised extension of Newquay line services to Truro and Falmouth will follow.

A test train used Newquay’s second platform two nights ago, after engineers had given the new signalling a final thumbs-up, and the platform is now in use for public traffic, having previously been approved by the Office of Rail and Road.

Network Rail industry programme director Bogan Lupu said: ‘The completion of this work paves the way for a huge increase in journeys to Newquay and will bring some of the county’s largest places closer together. We’re sorry for the disruption while the work took place but its legacy will provide a boost to the local economy and the environment.’

GWR’s head of strategic service development Matthew Barnes added: ‘These upgrades make the track and signalling improvements necessary for us to provide more, and better, services. This paves the way for us to run our first Mid Cornwall Metro trains which will provide coast-to-coast connectivity between Newquay and Falmouth via Par and St Austell.’

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