The steel framework of a major new railway bridge on the West Coast Main Line has now been completed, marking a significant milestone in a £60m replacement project that will see trains carried over the M6 on a modern structure from early 2026. Newly released aerial photographs highlight the scale of the 130-metre, 4,200-tonne bridge, which will be moved into position above the motorway at Clifton, near Penrith, during a two-week installation window in January.

The new bridge will replace a nearly 60-year-old concrete structure currently subject to strict weight limits, which only allow one train to cross at a time. This long-standing restriction has been a source of delays on the route. Network Rail plans to remove the old bridge and install the new one between 1 and 14 January, during which no trains will operate between Oxenholme and Carlisle.

The work will also have a major impact on the road network. The M6 is scheduled to close in both directions on two consecutive weekends—2 to 5 January and 9 to 12 January—between junctions 39 and 40. With the motorway shut, engineers will use the opportunity to carry out additional work, including renewing more than 80 kilometres of overhead power cables and progressing a £61m programme to modernise digital signalling 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.”

Train operators are also adjusting their plans ahead of the disruption. 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.”

Construction partner Skanska confirmed preparations are progressing well. Rosario Barcena, the company’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.”

Image: Network Rail