The massive steel structure for a new £60 million railway bridge, designed to carry the West Coast Main Line over the M6 motorway, has been completed. Network Rail today released time-lapse footage showing the assembly of the enormous structure, which measures 130m in length and weighs approximately 4,200 tonnes.
The new bridge will replace the nearly 60-year-old Clifton bridge near Penrith, which currently imposes weight restrictions, limiting it to carrying only one train at a time and causing delays. The replacement is vital to ensure the safe and reliable flow of passengers and freight on one of Britain’s busiest rail routes for decades to come.
Dual Rail and Motorway Closure Planned for Installation
The assembly of the new structure, carried out by contractor partner Skanska in a specially built compound beside the motorway, is now complete, with deck finalisation works set for November.
The main phase of the project—the removal of the old bridge and installation of the new one—is scheduled for the first two weeks of 2026 and will require dual railway and motorway closures.
- Rail Closure: No trains will run on the West Coast Main Line from Oxenholme to Carlisle between 1 January and 14 January 2026.
- Motorway Closure: The M6 will shut in both directions between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith during two consecutive weekends:
- Evening of Friday 2 January to morning of Monday 5 January 2026
- Evening of Friday 9 January to morning of Monday 12 January 2026
William Brandon, Network Rail’s project manager, said: “It’s brilliant to see the new Clifton bridge structure now taking shape beside the M6 ready for its ambitious installation in the New Year as part of our major upgrades to keep passengers and freight moving on the West Coast Main Line for decades to come. In January we will not only start the main phase to replace the bridge, but elsewhere in Cumbria we’ll also renew over 80 kilometres of overhead lines which power trains and continue with our major modernisation of West Coast Main Line signalling systems. These essential upgrades will involve some closures of the road and the railway, so we’re advising people to plan journeys well in advance while we work with National Highways and our train operators to make people aware of the scale, impacts and future benefits of our multi-million-pound investment.”
Maximising the Closure Window
To maximise the efficiency of the planned West Coast Main Line closure, Network Rail will simultaneously carry out other major infrastructure upgrades in Cumbria:
- £61 Million Digital Signalling Upgrade: Ongoing work to modernise signalling systems north of Carlisle.
- Overhead Cable Renewal: Replacement of more than 80 kilometres of overhead cables that power electric trains.
Rosario Barcena, Skanska’s rail programme director, said: “We have made fantastic progress, with the new 4,200-tonne structure nearing completion. Demolition of the existing bridge and installation of the new one are both complex and time critical operations, to which we are bringing our expertise from previous similar projects for Network Rail and the latest digital technologies. It has been a super collaborative project, where we have worked with Network Rail, National Highways, local authority and supply chain partners to ensure that we are fully prepared.”
Advice for Passengers and Motorists
Both rail passengers and motorists are advised to plan their journeys well in advance due to the closures.
Steve Mason, National Highways’ programme delivery manager, said: “This an essential, once-in-a-lifetime Network Rail project to future-proof one of the most important railway routes in the country and we are pleased to hear of the great progress so far with the new bridge. We are continuing to work with Network Rail, key stakeholders and local communities to ensure the two weekend closures of the motorway in the new year go smoothly as possible.”
Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said: “While Network Rail carry out this major work we’ll be operating an amended timetable with some journeys between the North West and Carlisle, and Scotland involving changes onto a shuttle service as well as rail replacement buses. We strongly advise customers plan ahead and check before they travel.”
The Clifton bridge replacement forms part of a larger, ongoing investment of £196 million by Network Rail into both the northern and southern sections of the West Coast Main Line. Passengers can check their travel plans by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk.
