Drivers are warned of major disruption as a section of the M6 closed from last night.
The M6 closed in both directions between Junction 39 at Shap and Junction 40 at Penrith from 8pm yesterday, Friday January 2.
It will reopen on Monday, January 5 at 5am.
Clifton railway bridge is being replaced.
The previous Clifton bridge is nearly 60 years old and weight restrictions mean it can only carry one train at a time, causing delays to services.
The new bridge, measuring 130m in length and weighing around 4,200 tonnes, will be installed by Network Rail and delivery partner Skanska above the motorway at Clifton close to Penrith.
The removal of the previous bridge and installation of the new structure began on the evening of New Year’s Eve.
No trains will run on the West Coast Main Line from Oxenholme to Carlisle until the morning of January 15.
The M6 will also be shut from 8pm on Friday January 9 until 5am Monday January 12.
National Highways is urging drivers to avoid this section of the M6 and consider other routes.
If that’s not possible, plan ahead and allow extra time or look at retiming your trip.
Important information
A66 Kemplay Bank roundabout
- traffic signals turned off across both weekends
- no access to the A6 southbound between 5am and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays, drivers to use the A66 and A685
- A6 southbound will reopen overnight (8pm to 5am), subject to traffic levels
- access from Bridge Lane (A6) and Carleton Avenue (A686) onto Kemplay Bank closed from 8pm on Fridays to 5am on Mondays
- clearly signed diversions will be in place
HGV southbound diversion
Southbound HGVs must use A66, A1(M) and M62 on Saturdays and Sundays (5am to 8pm) due to a narrow section on the A6 and a low bridge on the A685.
The A6 southbound will be reopened from 8pm to 5am, subject to low traffic numbers.
M6 junction 40
- traffic lights turned off, replaced with temporary signals installed on southbound exit slip and ring road north bridge
- drivers on the A66 eastbound and westbound approaches must give way
- entry from Ullswater Road (A592) onto junction 40 will close between 5am and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays
- clearly signed diversions will be in place
Pedestrian access at A66 Kemplay Bank roundabout and M6 junction 40 will be maintained.
