Drivers are reminded that the M6 is closed this weekend.
The M6 closed in both directions between Junction 39 at Shap and Junction 40 at Penrith from 8pm yesterday, Friday January 9.
It will reopen at 5am om Monday.
Network Rail is replacing the old Clifton bridge with a new structure and the existing bridge was demolished last weekend.
The new 4,200 tonne steel and concrete 130m bridge will be installed this weekend.
Three main diversion routes for through traffic will be in place:
- Northbound drivers leaving the M6 at junction 39 to join the A6 – rejoining the M6 at junction 40 via Kemplay roundabout
- Southbound HGVs leaving the M6 at junction 40 and being diverted onto the A1(M) at Scotch Corner via the eastbound A66
- Other southbound drivers leaving at junction 40 diverted along the eastbound A66 to Brough and joining the southbound A685 to rejoin the M6 at junction 38 at Tebay via Kirkby Stephen
As with last weekend – and again depending on traffic volumes – the A6 will be available as a shorter and more direct diversion to southbound drivers during overnight periods on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
National Highways said: “During last weekend’s work drivers appear to have heeded advice to postpone journeys or plan alternative routes well away from this part of Cumbria with traffic levels down.
“However, some villagers reported problems with drivers avoiding the official diversion routes – with fixed penalty notices being issued.
“Collisions and breakdowns on the diversion routes also made for slow going at times but these were cleared as quickly as possible with National Highways deploying its own recovery agents to remove vehicles.”
During this weekend’s closure staff at National Highways’ regional operations centre near Warrington and traffic officers at Cumbria’s two outstations at Lowhurst near Carlisle and Millness near Kendal, will once again work around the clock to monitor traffic and clear any incidents as quickly as possible.
Extra winter resilience and breakdown resources will again be deployed along the A66 and diversion routes using local roads.
Traffic management
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.
We recognise this is lengthy so we’re reopening the A6 southbound at night (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 diversion will be in place by Mile Lane and Newbiggin
