The steel structure of a £60m new railway bridge set to take passengers on the West Coast Main Line over the M6 has now been completed ahead of installation in January.
New aerial images show the scale of the new bridge, measuring 130m in length and weighing around 4,200 tonnes, which will be installed by Network Rail teams above the motorway at Clifton close to Penrith over two weeks at the beginning of next year.
It replaces a previous concrete bridge which is nearly 60 years old and has weight restrictions that mean only one train at a time can cross it, causing delays to services.
The removal of the previous bridge and installation of the new structure will take place between January 1 and January 14 next year.
During this time no trains will run on the West Coast Main Line from Oxenholme to Carlisle.
The M6 will also be shut on two consecutive weekends between:
- 8pm on Friday January 2 and 5am on Monday January 5 2026.
- 8pm on Friday January 9 and 5am Monday January 12 2026.
During these periods, the motorway will close in both directions between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith.
To make the most of the dual closure, more than 80km of overhead cables which power trains will also be replaced, and significant work will take place on an ongoing £61m digital upgrade to signalling systems north of Carlisle.
William Brandon, Network Rail’s project manager, said: “This ambitious project will provide a vital upgrade to the West Coast Main Line and improve reliability and journey times for passengers.
“While we close the railway to replace the M6 bridge we’ll also be renewing more than 80 kilometres of overhead lines and continuing our major modernisation of signalling systems.
“We appreciate passengers’ patience while this work is completed, and I would urge anyone planning to travel in this period to check National Rail Enquiries in advance.”
Steve Mason, programme delivery manager at National Highways, said: “This is an essential, once-in-a-lifetime Network Rail project to future-proof one of the most important railway routes in the country and it can’t be delivered safely without closing the motorway.
“At National Highways we are doing all we can to ensure the diversion routes run as smoothly as possible but with the minimum of disruption to local communities.
“We are encouraging local people to find out more by visiting one of our drop-in sessions this month and carefully studying the leaflet arriving in thousands of local people’s letterboxes during the next fortnight.”
Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said: “While Network Rail carries out essential work to replace the bridge, we will operate an amended timetable.
“Some journeys between the North West, Carlisle, and Scotland will involve changes onto a shuttle service as well as rail replacement buses.
“We strongly advise customers to plan ahead and check their journey before travelling.”
Rosario Barcena, Skanska’s rail programme director said: “We have made fantastic progress. The bridge has been built on schedule and our preparatory work for the removal of the current structure and installation of the new one is nearing completion.
“These planning works include a trial move of the new bridge using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) before Christmas.
“This progress has come as a result of close working between all the partners involved including Network Rail, National Highways, our supply chain team and local community.”
Over the Christmas period, Network Rail teams will be undertaking a major programme of upgrades to improve journeys for passengers on the West Coast Main Line.
It includes a £16m investment into Preston station’s signalling system and a rolling £61m programme of signalling works at Kingmoor, north of Carlisle.
