1966 Closure of lines to Ventnor and Cowes

The Beeching Report proposed the closure of all the remaining lines on the island. Despite a spirited campaign, the line from Ryde to Cowes closed in February 1966, followed in April by the line from Shanklin to Ventnor. The loss of Ventnor station was particularly keenly felt, and the town struggled to recover from this blow to its tourist industry.