Ryde Pier is likely to be without an Island Line train service for 'at least' three months, operator South Western Railway (SWR) has revealed, starting in the autumn.

Maintenance work is due to get underway on the Victorian structure, used by Wightlink's FastCat service, which connects Ryde and Portsmouth.

It appears this is above and beyond plans to revamp the pier altogether, revealed in proposals unveiled in June 2021.

SWR runs trains from Ryde Esplanade to Ryde Pier Head (where passengers board the Isle of Wight ferry service).

In a statement today (Wednesday), Network Rail said: "We are finalising plans to complete safety-critical maintenance on Ryde Pier.

"It is likely that the line between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade will be closed for at least 12 weeks, starting in September.

"We will announce exact dates as soon as they are available.

"We have timed our programme of work so that it has the lowest possible impact on our passengers.

"It was not possible to complete our work during the Island Line closure in 2021 as our programme of work had not been finalised."

Wightlink said it was aware of the work but did not know what dates would be affected.

Island Line recently returned to full service after months of work to upgrade the lines and trains. 

Meanwhile, strike action could be looming because although Island Line staff voted to reject taking action over pay and conditions, RMT Union says its members have overwhelmingly supported it across the rest of the country.