COVID challenges suggest delay in Island Line reopening
Reopening of the Isle of Wight Railway is being put back by “around” six weeks.
South Western Railway says the £26 million upgrade of trains and infrastructure has been affected by working restrictions as a result of the pandemic.
The line has been closed since January 4 ( RAIL 922). Instead of restarting at the end of March, no trains will run before the middle of May. Instead, FirstGroup buses sent from the mainland will continue to run between Shanklin and Ryde.
In a statement, SWR said: “The lockdown has added to the complexity of the project, as colleagues have been required to form work bubbles on the Isle of Wight to ensure sites are COVID-secure.
“The recent increase in COVID-19 cases across the UK has also created the additional challenge of colleagues needing to isolate all along our supply chain, setting back the whole project.”
Vivarail, which is building the five two-car Class 484 trains, has been particularly affected. The number of engineers able to work on the new train has been significantly reduced, and traction equipment has not been delivered. Only one train has so far arrived on the island.
Chief Executive Adrian Shooter said: “We’ve seen some fantastic cross-industry co-operation to make up lost time. From running the trains on forklift truck batteries for software testing, through to borrowing a test track in Derby to simulate the conditions on Island Line, everyone is pulling out all the stops.”
The refurbished former London Underground D-Stock trains are receiving new electronics, seating, lighting and traction systems, so dozens of different suppliers are involved.
Work on track and stations is progressing, with raised platforms being constructed at every station to provide level access to the larger new trains.
However, SWR warned:
“The unpredictable nature of the virus and the associated restrictions means there is a risk more time may be needed before the line can be reopened.”
If the line is not open before the start of the summer season, it will be a further blow to the island economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism.