Following the announcement of a major £26million investment by the Department for Transport (DfT) to upgrade the Island Line and the trains that run on it, the Solent LEP has today (Thursday) confirmed its investment of £700,000, which, alongside an investment of £300,000 from the Isle of Wight Council, provides the critical £1million local funding to secure the DfT investment.
The £26million project will see the upgrading of the rail infrastructure, the reinstatement of a passing loop at Brading station in order to facilitate the operation of an even 30-minute interval train service, and new refurbished rolling stock. The improved regular frequency will be easier to understand for users and better aligned with the schedule of other modes (especially ferries) making rail a more attractive and sustainable travel option for residents and visitors alike.
Gary Jeffries, Solent LEP Chairman, has said:
“Securing a renaissance of our coastal communities is an absolute priority for the Solent LEP as we strive to raise productivity levels and spread prosperity across the Solent. Our work with South Western Railway has been critical to unlocking the significant central government investment announced in September, which will safeguard and transform connectivity on the Island, as well as supporting the coastal communities to the east coast of the Island. We are very pleased that a scheme identified in our Island Infrastructure Investment Plan will soon be delivered.”
Mark Hopwood, Manging Director of South Western Railway, adds:
“I want to pay tribute to our team at Island Line which has kept the current 1938 stock going for so long and to all of the stakeholders who helped us develop our proposals. I am particularly grateful for the grant funding from the Solent LEP and Isle of Wight council and I look forward to our continuing partnership as we deliver the next exciting chapter in Island Line’s history.”
Bob Seely MP has today said:
“I am delighted that local partners have come together to secure the future of Island Line. After working with others to persuade the Department for Transport to make this investment, I am pleased that the Isle of Wight Council is now complementing this at a local level.
“Island Line provides vital public transport connectivity to the wider Solent region, so I am also grateful to the LEP serving this area for agreeing to invest in the route.
“The improved frequency and alignment with other modes of transport is long overdue, and I look forward to working with local partners to ensure that this investment is delivered in a timely manner over the next 16 months, with minimal disruption to passenger use during the upgrade works.”
Bob Seely last week asked the Government to make a statement about the South Western Railway franchise – which includes Island Line – following concerns raised about the future of the franchise.
Councillor Dave Stewart, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, has said:
“This is a great example of partners across the private and public sectors working together to make a real difference to our coastal communities and businesses.
“The Island Line, which performs a critical role in our sustainable transport network, has suffered from years of under-investment. Now with this significant investment from DfT and the Solent LEP, alongside the Isle of Wight Council’s investment, the Island Line has a bright future and can be a catalyst for a renaissance of our economy.”
Proposed Island Line Upgrade Programme
| September 2019 | Island Line investment announcement made at Brading |
| Late 2019-2020 | Build of new Vivarail Class 484 trains begins at Long Marston, Midlands |
| Late 2019 onwards | Design and planning work for Island Line infrastructure |
| April 2020 | Testing begins on first Class 484 Island Line unit |
| Spring 2020 | Wifi and Ticket Machines installed at stations |
| Summer 2020 | First Class 484 train arrives on the Isle of Wight for testing |
| October/November 2020 | More new Class 484 carriages arrive on the Isle of Wight |
| Winter 2020/2021 | Disruption during infrastructure works – shuttle service in operation |
| February 2021 | Final new Class 484 carriages delivered |
| March 2021 | Last 1938 stock Island Line train decommissioned |
| May 2021 | Brand new timetable introduced with new trains |
Pity they can’t invest some of the cash returning the line to Ventnor
they should dig up the cycle track through Newchurch too, have trains going to Newport.
Genius idea, I’m going to apply to be a councillor :^)
Run the line to Newport would help the traffic congestion and keep the price low with reliable service would be a good investment with steam trains running in the summer months
Tar mac the entire line and use shuttle several buses to run on a private road. Far cheaper than maintaining rail, sleeper, electricity cable, signals etc. And they could leave the station and pick up and drop off people in the town before speeding on their private track once more.