Flood water, which has washed away ballast in around 20 separate locations near Ryde, is set to cause up to three weeks of disruption to the Island’s train service with no services operating between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin.
Island Line train services are currently suspended due to damage caused by the severe flooding experienced earlier this week, with buses replacing trains between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin and taxis replacing trains between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head.
It was confirmed to Island Echo yesterday (Friday) that the service could remain suspended for up to three weeks ahead of an inspection by specialist engineers this weekend to determine the time it will take to repair, although Island Echo has been told by sources it could remain out of action for nearer 6 weeks.
The tracks on the vital East Wight line are currently unsupported, as pictured above at Rosemary Lane near Ashey.
A spokesperson for the Island Line said:
“We apologise to our passengers for the disruption to their services. Bus replacement services are in place to make sure people can travel to their destinations. Our engineers are working hard to fix the problem.
“We are providing updates for our passengers through our website as well as our @SW_Trains Twitter feed and our staff are providing information and assisting passengers at our stations.”
A bus replacement service will run between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin at 50 minutes past the hour and from Shanklin to Ryde Esplanade at 38 minutes past the hour. A taxi replacement service will run between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier . These will meet the bus replacement service on arrival.
Photo of Smallbrook Junction by Island Line
