Railway bridge over M6 to be replaced next year

A railway bridge which has reached the end of its life is set to be replaced next year.

Clifton Bridge, over the M6 motorway near Penrith in Cumbria, will be dismantled with road and rail closures expected between now and the end of the project in 2026.

The bridge carries trains between the north of England and Scotland, but currently only one train at a time is allowed on it which causes delays.

The main work begins next January when the railway will be closed for two weeks.

Olivia Boland, from Network Rail, said the £60m project was "essential".

"The main work, which involves rail and road closures, is not happening until January 2026.

"However, people living in the Clifton area or driving past might notice the start of our construction activities."

A team arrived on site to prepare a compound for the work this week.

There will be traffic management on the M6, starting approximately three miles south of Junction 40, from this month and lasting until the work is completed.

The railway will be closed for two weeks next January so the 71-year-old structure can be demolished and replaced over two weekends.

Network Rail said it was working with train operators to plan alternative transport options.

The M6 will also be closed in the first two weekends of January 2026 in both directions between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith.

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