PHOTOS KILF members were first passengers on Island Line return

The Isle of Wight's first new-style passenger train arrived at Ryde Pier Head early on Monday morning (November 1), after ten months of work.

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Long-awaited, newly refurbished rolling stock has replaced the historic tube trains that used to run on the South Western Railway route.

Improvement and accessibility works and a new passing loop have been added, to the tune of £26 million.

Among the first passengers on board were Isle of Wight councillors and David Pugh - all members of the Keep Island Line in the Franchise (KILF) campaign, which was formed six years ago.

Cllrs Warren Drew, Chris Quirk and Michael Beston at Ryde St Johns station, ready to board the 5:35am train. (Photo by KILF).

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• VIDEO First new passenger Island Line train arrives at Ryde Pier Head

Cllr Michael Beston (Shanklin Central) said: "The journey was not only much smoother, but the carriages are smart and welcoming – along with the staff. "Island Line plays a crucial role for those living, working and visiting the East Wight corridor, including reaching the popular tourist destination of Shanklin. "I look forward to seeing many people arrive in our town over the months and years ahead.

Praising the success of their grassroots campaign, Cllr Chris Quirk (Shanklin South) said: "In 2015, when I challenged the former Rail Minister about Island Line, it was clear the plan was very much to see it removed from the security of a wider franchise.

"This was unacceptable and we fought tooth and nail against this."

In 2016, Cllr Warren Drew and David Pugh threatened a judicial review, which they say caused the Department for Transport (DfT) to move instead towards retaining the line as part of the franchise.

Cllr Warren Drew (Ryde South East) said: "It gave me great pleasure to join the service in Ryde today, knowing that the constituents I represent will be able to enjoy a vastly improved service as a result of the intervention we made five years ago."

David Pugh said the campaign went from a "very lonely battle" to "community and cross-party support" and acknowledged the contributions of fellow campaigners Stewart Blackmore and the late Ed Gouge.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who backed our campaign since 2015. Today makes it all worthwhile."

(Left) Cllr Michael Lilley, Mayor of Ryde and (right) past and current transport leads from the Isle of Wight Council, Cllrs Phil Jordan and Ian Ward. (Photo by Christopher Jackson).

Currently, just one train per hour is running - South Western Railway said that is deliberate, to provide certainty at a time when passenger numbers are traditionally lower.

It said: "A key benefit of the upgrade programme has been the installation of a new passing loop at Brading, which will enable us to offer our customers the choice of two trains per hour and we are progressing plans to increase frequency as demand comes back in the spring."

The franchise holder has also addressed the concerns of parents sending children to school.

Replacement buses have been serving the route since January - perfectly timed for those heading to class.

The new hourly trains threatened to leave students with long waits, or late arrivals.

South Western Railway said: "We are running buses to help children and families get to and from school while we are running one train per hour."

Also welcoming Island Line's return was Bob Seely MP, who met government ministers at Brading Station in 2019 to announce the £26 million investment programme.

He said: "We now have decent trains running on an improved track which will make travelling easier and more comfortable for Islanders and visitors.

"This improved service will give a boost to the Island’s tourist economy and allow visitors to continue to access the award-winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Havenstreet through the interface at Smallbrook Junction.

"I look forward to seeing these trains carrying thousands of passengers over the coming year."