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Network Rail's nine-month programme to upgrade the historic Ryde Pier structure on the Isle of Wight is at its halfway point, with significant progress reported.
The ambitious project aims to preserve the pier and improve rail connections between Ryde Pierhead and Ryde Esplanade, with train services expected to resume in early May 2025 as scheduled.
Engineers have achieved major milestones in the refurbishment effort:
• Installed 295 meters of new rail out of the planned 590 meters.
• Replaced 450 wooden sleepers with durable composite sleepers designed to withstand extreme coastal weather conditions.
• Fitted 1,250 meters of new rail bearers out of a total 2,500 meters. Rail bearers are critical steel girders that support the pier's substructure, sleepers, and rails.
• Continued ongoing refurbishment of the Ryde Pier substructure to ensure its long-term resilience.
In tandem with the pier upgrades, Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) recently completed a month-long programme of critical maintenance, which included:
• Laying 110 metres of new track through Ryde Esplanade station with composite sleepers for enhanced durability.
• Installing 48 rail bearers across a 65-meter section between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pierhead.
• Upgrading track alignment at Ryde Esplanade to reduce the gap between trains and platforms.
• Renewing tracks at Smallbrook Junction and replacing bridge decks at Park and Rink Road bridges.
• Completing repairs at Sandown and refurbishing the historic footbridge at Brading.
While train services between Ryde Pierhead and Ryde Esplanade remain suspended, services continue to operate every 30 minutes between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin. To maintain connectivity with ferry services, a minibus shuttle is running between Ryde Pierhead and Ryde Esplanade.
Network Rail is on track to complete the upgrades by May 2025, with the historic pier structure set to benefit from a blend of modern materials and engineering techniques to ensure its resilience for decades. This extensive work reflects the commitment to safeguarding a vital transport link while preserving a cherished piece of Isle of Wight history.
