Network Rail is set to replace the bridge decks at both Park Road and Rink Road in Ryde, forcing the closure of both roads for around 5 months.
It is hoped that the works, which will see the overbridge decks replaced with a precast, prestressed concrete box beam construction, will prolong the life of the bridges for another 120 years. But it means there will be yet more disruption to Island Line train services…
Currently, the bridges each have a 3 tonne weight limit imposed upon them, a reduction from 18 tonne back in the late 1990s. The aim is to increase this to take 40 tonne.
At Park Road, the width of the carriageway over the bridge will 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 will be narrowed by 1.15m to 6.4m.
Over the past 18 months, plans have been drawn up to carry out the major engineering scheme, which looks likely to begin sometime around September this year and last until February 2024. However, depending on how things progress, it could be 2024 until works get underway. Either way, 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.
It has been confirmed that the works will require possession of the railway line, which means it is likely trains will not travel between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St John’s for either the duration of the works, or at least for significant periods.
Many readers may be left wondering why the scheme was not carried out at the same time as the major investment in Island Line, which saw the railway line closed for 10 months.
A spokesperson for Network Rail has told Island Echo:
“At this stage, the works are currently in the development stages and a delivery programme is yet to be confirmed.
“We are planning to renew both structures in 2024/25. Possessions of the line will be required to facilitate the works but we will seek to minimise disruption t passengers and coordinate with SWR as we usually do.
“We will hopefully be able to provide more information in due course”.
Island Echo previously reported on plans for a 3-month scheme to carry out refurbishment works to the railway bridge at Lake Hill. It was initially thought the project would get underway at the start of January, but work will now begin on 13th February.
Five months? I wonder if this was a bridge over a rail line into London, for instance, if they would close the railway for 5 months? I very much doubt it, which does then beg the question of why it can happen here? I thought, these days, bridges like this were, more or less, simply lowered into place? Five weeks, yes possibly, but 5 months?
Why is it that it seems like everything takes an age on the Island these days to get done?
Probably because of our third world status here. I’m still trying to get my water bill at £2 a month. They advertise it on the Telly all the time for Africa. I presume we’re in the same category as them.
Your lucky you got running water sunshine, people in poorer countries don’t have running water they have to walk miles to get water and carry the heavy water back to there homes, it’s very obvious you have never visited a poor country and with your selfish comments you certainly wouldn’t be welcome.
As for trying to getting your water bill down to £2 a month, you won’t get it.
I agree with every word, god knows why got thumbs down, oh these so tiring first world problems disruption on roads with minimal usage, maybe it was supposed to be a joke about water but it reflects the forever glass half empty moany moany iow attitude; these sort of stories are fodder for the moany brigades that need their daily (or hourly moans), three words get, a, life.. and yes maybe send £2 for water in developing countries, at least it might take mind off other things of absolute minimal import.. just imagine that glass half full.. of gin if it helps..
If the road in London was of similarly minor importance, why wouldn’t it? This isn’t like for like replacement so significant alterations to the abutments as well as brick repairs will be needed before the new decks are craned in – minimising disruption to the railway will make that take months.
Amazing that they can install a new bridge over a motorway in a couple of days but over here it is 5 months to put one across a railway line. Are all contractors so useless over here? No wonder these jobs cost so much more.
It isn’t a motorway and these new decks will be sitting on 150+ year old brick piers and abutments that will require significant modifications for concrete decks. It’s a big job
None of the Island’s roads is good enough for 40 Tonnes, so why don’t we do what other islands have done – reject the universal weight limit and impose a sensible one? While we’re at it we can reduce the maximum size of coaches, pantechnicons and other hopelessly oversized vehicles.
Too sensible? Probably.
Can’t reduce the max weight, the islands bus company will have to buy new, more applicable, buses instead of using ones that were designed for cities and not rural roads. Whilst they have the council in their pockets will never happen how ever sensible your suggestions are.
Since the obligation to coordinate works and minimise disruption is actually a legal obligation we can only assume that Network Rail have no fear of the toothless regulator.
Minimising disruption is doing the work when the line is already closed.
This is most definitely NOT minimising disruption, if anything they’re doing the exact opposite.
Perhaps they should watch the videos by the preserved Great Central Railway, the replace bridges at weekends and they are also of concrete beam construction
so, yet more disruption that could have been avoided when the railway was closed for the overhaul they did last year.
This will be interesting. The ‘brand new’ interchange at Ryde Sea Front will still not be interchanging? I reckon they will just about finish that in time for this closure to come in.
I wonder where these 40 ton vehicles will go when they cross these bridges? Perhaps they will drive over one and then back over the other? In the words of the Isle of Wight Beatles, Can’t buy a ticket to Ryde, and we don’t care.
Like all roadworks on the island no common sense should have been done during the upgrade whe island line was shut for 10 months
So let’s close everything, all at once. Fantastic idea!