Staff sickness closes Island Line

The Isle of Wight’s railway line was closed entirely on September 7, because of staff sickness.

Buses were brought in to replace trains on the 8½-mile line between Ryde and Shanklin. A minibus shuttle ran along Ryde pier in place of trains, with another carrying tourists to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, which normally connects with the South Western Railway route at Smallbrook Junction.

A railway source said the line closure was due to a single signaller going sick at short notice. The Island Line relies on five people qualified to signal the route. Two are on duty each day, and others were on rest days or on leave.

Uniquely on the national network, SWR is responsible for both track and trains on the island, and therefore provides signalling staff.