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Isle Of Wight Railway Overhaul Suffers Further Setback After Flooding

Photo from South Western Railway.

Flash flooding has delayed work to upgrade the Isle of Wight's trainline.

It's the third setback in the multi-million pound scheme.

Operator South Western Railway (SWR) has previously blamed Covid-19, as well as 'complex software issues' for the continued disruption. 

Now, flooding has caused a further setback. SWR says 16 sites are in "urgent" need of attention after newly laid ballast was washed away.


Photo from South Western Railway.

Water damage was also sustained to electrical, signalling and points equipment. Around 200 tonnes of ballast is required, from the mainland, to make repairs to the tracks.

As Isle of Wight Radio previously reported, more than half a month's rainfall fell in Ryde earlier this week.

In a statement to the Isle of Wight Radio, SWR said:

"The heavy rainfall on the Island earlier this week caused flash flooding in many areas, with the running water having a significant impact on several areas of the Island Line track. Our depot at Ryde St John’s was also flooded. As a result, we have 16 sites on the Island in need of urgent attention, requiring 200 tonnes of ballast from the mainland.

"Yesterday night, the Island Line maintenance team began carrying out repair works to the track infrastructure. The team will be working throughout the night for at least 5 nights to rectify the damage done by the water and we’d like to apologise for the disturbance this work will cause to those living close to the railway.

"In terms of the upgrade project itself, good progress has been made with the testing of the trains and the infrastructure works are largely complete with only snagging items to deal with. We have also re-opened Pig Leg crossing which was temporarily closed to carry out safety improvements as part of the upgrade project."

Works to upgrade the line were started in January, and it was hoped it would reopen by March.

The latest setback means "uncertainty" over a return date.

A SWR spokesperson added: 

"We had been aiming to reopen the Island Line in the first half of next month, but the impact of the flooding has added uncertainty to our programme as we establish both the time it will take to fix the infrastructure and the knock on impact on testing, training and certification. We are sorry for the ongoing uncertainty for our customers and the communities we serve, and are working incredibly hard to reopen the Island Line as soon as possible.

"We are as disappointed as our customers by how long it has taken to reopen the line and apologise for the impact this delay has had on the Island. We continue to run the rail replacement bus service and stand ready to increase capacity if demand requires."

It's anticipated the roll-out will not move full steam ahead until later this summer.

A bus replacement service remains in place.

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