Some economies were made on the branch by the Southern Railway, most notably the removal of the passing loop and signal box at Whitwell in 1928.

The passenger numbers remained low and the branch continued to lose revenue to more convenient bus services.

From the junction at Merstone, the line turned south and continued through farmland to cross the main Newport-Shanklin road.

From Godshill the line again traversed farmland on a large stretch of embankment that ran to the small hamlet of Southford on the outskirts of Whitwell.

The line entered the tunnel and began a long descent to St Lawrence and the terminus at Ventnor West.