Network Rail invests £60m to get bridge back on track
The 135-metre Clifton Bridge, near Penrith in Cumbria, is more than 60 years old and needs to be dismantled and replaced.
The bridge carries the West Coast Main Line over the M6. Currently, only one train may cross the bridge at a time due to safety concerns, impacting travel times and slowing services.
There will be road and rail closures from January 2026 so that the project can take place. The work, to be undertaken by contractor Skansa, will require the replacement bridge to be built on site.
The M6 will be closed between the evening of Friday 2 January and the morning of Monday 5 January 2026, as well as the evening of Friday 9 January, and the morning of Monday 12 January.
Diversion plans will be discussed in the coming weeks.
National Highways is assisting Network Rail by building an access road to the site.
A Network Rail team has started works on site and will prepare it for further development.
Steve Mason, National Highways programme delivery manager, said the project was essential, and would “secure the future of one of the most important railway lines in the country”.
Mason continued: “We’ll be working closely with Network Rail throughout to keep motorway users and local people up to date with developments – especially as we approach the weekend closures of the motorway at the beginning of the year.”
Olivia Bowland, Network Rail, sponsor, added: “We are rebuilding Clifton bridge over the M6 to keep rail passengers and motorway users safe for years to come. This project is essential as the bridge has reached the end of its life.”
“The main work, which involves rail and road closures, is not happening until January 1 2026. However, people living in the Clifton area or driving past might notice the start of our construction activities.”
Traffic management will be in place on the M6 starting three miles south of Junction 40.