The West Coast Main Line has fully reopened after the installation of the new Clifton bridge.
Train services were running again from yesterday, Thursday January 15, along the northern half of Britain’s busiest mixed-use passenger and freight route after 14 days of essential upgrades.
The biggest of all was the replacement of a 4,200-tonne, 130-metre-long bridge over the M6 just south of Penrith.
Footage has been released of the first services travelling over the new £60 million structure following its ambitious demolition and replacement in a fortnight.
It saw an unprecedented closure of two of Britain’s busiest transport arteries – the West Coast Main Line and M6 – for the huge feat of civil engineering to take place.
Over the first two weekends of the year, the motorway was completely closed between junctions 39 and 40 so Network Rail and its principal contractor Skanska could demolish then replace Clifton railway bridge.
At certain points during the closure, a 115-mile stretch of the West Coast Main Line was free from train traffic.
During the upgrades, Network Rail and Avanti West Coast worked closely to keep customers on trains for as much of their journeys as possible by running a special shuttle service on the historic Settle to Carlisle line – the first time in a decade that route had been used as a diversion.
Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail Capital Delivery director for the North West and Central region, said: “We have used this vital 14-day closure to make the biggest possible impact on the West Coast Main Line with multiple major upgrades now completed.
“As a result of the hard work of hundreds of our colleagues, both passengers and our freight operators will have a more reliable railway for generations to come.
“We have worked closely with National Highways and train operators to limit the disruption to road and rail users while the M6 bridge replacement has taken place.
“I’d like to thank them and local communities impacted by the diversionary routes and those close to our construction site while we carried out this project to secure the future of not one, but two nationally important transport links.”
Chris Liptrot, Avanti West Coast operations director, said: “We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail replaced the rail bridge at Clifton.
“This vital upgrade will make journeys reliable for decades to come. We’re pleased to have kept rail travel open for the North West throughout these major works with our services on the Settle and Carlisle line and appreciate the support of industry partners in making this possible.”
Andrew McClements, TransPennine Express customer experience & transformation director, said: “We’re grateful for our customers’ understanding while this essential work took place.
“The improvements delivered during this closure will make a real difference for passengers who rely on the West Coast Main Line, supporting more reliable journeys right across the North.”
