Train operator, South Western Railway (SWR), has unveiled a plan to improve connections between early rail services and Isle of Wight ferry crossings in Lymington, however Islanders on the first Fastcat to Portsmouth will find themselves even tighter for time.

Steve Tyler, performance and planning director for SWR called the changes, which take effect from May 22, 'minor.'

For West Wight passengers travelling between Yarmouth and Hampshire's Lymington, two trains will be delayed by 13 minutes.

The change means better coordination with the arrival of Wightlink's vehicle ferries.

From May 22, the 9.29am Brockenhurst-Lymington Pier service will start at 9.42am instead.

Meanwhile, the 9.44am Lymington Pier-Brockenhurst train will leave at 9.57am.

Elsewhere, early risers getting a train from Portsmouth may have to sprint through the tunnel, to guarantee their connection.

The 6.15am Portsmouth Harbour-London Waterloo train will depart at 6.10am, from May 22. 

It will mean there is even less room for error, for early-start Wightlink passengers travelling from Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour, for an onward train connection.

The 5.45am Fastcat docks in Portsmouth at 6.07am.

SWR has suggested there may be a change to ferry times, to accomodate that and the County Press has asked Wightlink for a comment. 

SWR's Steve Tyler said: "Our advice to customers is to check before travelling, as those changes mean a small number of services will depart slightly earlier, or later, than the December 2022 timetable."