People can find out more about £60m plans to rebuild a Cumbrian railway bridge.
The 60-year-old Clifton bridge, which crosses the M6 near Penrith, has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
Work to demolish and replace the structure will take place in January 2026.
However, the team are already on site in Clifton to prepare for the work.
Network Rail is working with National Highways to manage the road diversions during the work. National Highways is also building a temporary access road to the site compound so the preparation work can be carried out.
People are invited to find out more at an event on Monday, March 31, at Clifton Primary School, from 6pm to 8.30pm.
The project team from Network Rail and National Highways will be available to answer any questions about the work.
Olivia Boland, Network Rail’s sponsor for the project, said: “This project is essential as the bridge has reached the end of its life.
“The main work, which involves rail and road closures, is not happening until January 2026. However, we want to give people living in the Clifton area the opportunity to meet us as we prepare for the project and ask any questions they may have.
“We’re working with National Highways to make sure we can carry out our work as safely as possible with as little inconvenience to local people and the travelling public.”
Steve Mason, programme delivery manager for National Highways, said: “Clifton bridge is a critical piece of the UK’s railway infrastructure.
“Anyone attending next week’s event at Clifton Primary School can find out how we’re working hard alongside our counterparts in Network Rail to ensure the bridge is replaced safely but with as little inconvenience to motorway users and local residents as possible.”
To facilitate the work, there is traffic management in place on the M6, starting around three miles south of Junction 40.
From Monday, March 31, there will be roadworks on a three-mile section of the M6 between Junction 39 at Shap and Junction 40 near Penrith:
- Lane closures, narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit
- Two lanes (of three) running in both directions during the day
- One lane running both ways overnight
A free vehicle recovery service for motorists in the event of a break will be operated until March 2027.
In January 2026, the railway will be closed for two weeks so the bridge can be demolished and replaced over two weekends.
Network Rail is working with train operators to plan what alternative transport options will be available during this time.
The M6 will be closed over two weekends in January 2026. Between the evening of Friday January 2 and the morning of Monday January 5 2026 and the evening of Friday January 9 and the morning of Monday January 12, the motorway will be closed in both directions between Junction 39 at Shap and Junction 40 near Penrith.
