The only National Rail line on the Isle of Wight will close again tomorrow, for a new engineers’ possession.

The latest closure will mean no trains until 6 October, when the line will reopen between Ryde Esplanade and Shanklin, but the pier section will remain closed until 4 May.

These latest closures are being described as essential in ‘futureproofing the service’.

While the whole line is closed a footbridge at Brading willl be refurbished, signalling will be upgraded at Ryde and a bridge repaired at Sandown. There will also be work to renew the pier and the track which runs along it which will continue throughout the winter.

Network Rail Wessex route infrastructure director Tom McNamee said: ‘Part of the track and infrastructure on the Island Line has become “life-expired”, with extreme weather contributing to the acceleration of the degradation of the railway.

‘Our planned maintenance will ensure we’re able to keep running services safely and reliably, while our ongoing programme of upgrades to the steel structure and track between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade stations will preserve and strengthen the track and infrastructure for future generations.’

The line has been closed several times in recent years for upgrades and repairs, including making changes for the arrival of the Vivarail conversions which replaced former tube rolling stock.

Like the tube stock, the Vivarail trains were also cascaded from the London Underground, but a much wider programme of conversions for other lines was cancelled when Vivarail ceased to trade in late 2022.