2 busy roads in Ryde are to close for more than 10 weeks to enable Network Rail to replace 2 bridge decks that cross over Island Line. As exclusively reported by Island Echo last February, the bridges at both Rink Road and Park Road are being upgraded as part of the latest investment in the Island’s railway between Ryde and Shanklin. A 5-month scheme was initially planned to start in September 2023 but now, almost a year later, the project has been scaled down. The 2 roads will now close between 19th August and 1st November – a little over 2 months. This will cause severe disruption to those visiting the Tower House doctor’s surgery and businesses on Rink Road, as well as motorists looking to circumnavigate St John’s Road via Park Road. Furthermore, access to events in Ryde such as the carnival will be made all the more difficult this Summer. The works were re-scheduled to be incorporated into the month-long closure of the entire Island Line in September 2024, causing less overall disruption. The initial timescale was an estimate and Network Rail have now confirmed that this work can be completed quicker while retaining the same scope of work. 
Network Rail hopes that the major project will prolong the life of the bridges for another 120 years. Currently, the bridges each have a 3-tonne weight limit imposed upon them – a reduction from 18 tonne back in the late 1990s – but the aim is to increase this limit to 40 tonne, it’s understood. At Park Road, the width of the carriageway over the bridge was previously set to be reduced by 1.86m due to the installation of new parapets, making things a bit more challenging for pedestrians. Meanwhile, just down the road at Rink Road, the carriageway was previously set to be narrowed by 1.15m to 6.4m. 
“Starting this September, Network Rail and SWR will begin a month-long programme of vital maintenance on the Island Line followed by life extension work at Ryde Pier until May 2025. “During the first phase of work, the Island Line will be closed in its entirety to allow engineers to complete a comprehensive programme of maintenance including upgrading the bridges at Rink Road and Park Road during. While this programme of work is ongoing a road diversion will be in place, starting 19th August to facilitate critical preparatory work to be completed in advance of the main work starting in September. “There is never a convenient time to close the line, but we have waited to do so until after the summer as we know how important this period is for the Island, and we would like to thank local residents, businesses and customers in advance for their patience and understanding while we complete this critical work for the continued safe and reliable running of running of services on the Island Line.”
Oh dear Ryde will be carnage this summer,does no one care about local summer business who rely on visitors to the island
They don’t even care about fare paying passengers after it’s “shutdown in Sept “allegedly going back to 30 minute time table…so b….r the passengers getting off fastcat you will have to put on your running shoes again!.
Given the millions spent so far on Island Line there is no way a few passengers from Shanklin to Ryde make a profit for line. Government will pull plug soon!
Clearly you don’t use the line or you wouldn’t post such a bulls##t comment
Maybe if you were out and about when people are going to work instead of lazing in bed you would see the railway gets a lot of use. Not going anywhere soon. It was the Tories that closed so many lines back in the 1960’s. Now we’re paying the price. Yet again Tory voters played themselves and screwed the rest of us in the process.
Labour was in power for most of the ’60’s, so you’re on dodgy ground there.
Why is it with EVERY article you have to somehow bring politics into it?
The article is about repairing two bridges, and yet you manage to make it about the Tories?
Maybe it’s YOU who needs to get out more and not spend all day in front of your PC working out how to incorporate your political views into an article about BRIDGES.
Must go and have a look, will be interesting to see this.
This won’t affect anyone who doesn’t work for a living, so the Labour party will be happy about that.
Report: “This will cause severe disruption”
really??
in years gone by I used to work in that area for 10+ years,..and visited business premises in Rink Road, and Park Road, sometimes several times a day. Since then I’ve also visited Tower House on many occasions,..
& in all that time, I don’t think I’ve ever used either of those bridges,..
so a few people a day will have to go around (either via st Johns or the strand) to get to Tower House…
hardly severe disruption….
What about pedestrians?
So ……. you flew?
Oh God! Just as one lot of stuff that instantly goes wrong again, now two more months of chaos, probably falling to bits immediately.
While they have Park Rd and Rink Rd closed will island roads do maintenance to the roads??
No Labour have stopped all road improvements. No money in the bank.
I’ve just spoken to a manager at island line and there is no plan to close the line from the 19th August between Ryde St Johns and Ryde Pier Head. The full line closure will go ahead from the 6th September until the 6th October, with the line reopening between Shanklin and Ryde esplanade from the 6th October. Ryde Pier will be closed from 6th September until spring 2025. It always helps to talk to the right people
Just wait for Pennyfeathers, that will be a joke.
Why not hold off until September?
Went through the cross roads at Yarbridge earlier and water is coming through the ground where the gas board just dug up, looking forward to more disruption there in the next week