Work on a major railway bridge replacement is set to begin - leading to travel disruption in the Lancaster area.
The removal of the Clifton bridge in Cumbria and installation of the new structure will commence on the evening of New Year's Eve.
The work means that no trains will run on the West Coast Main Line from Oxenholme to Carlisle from then until the morning of January 15.
The M6 will also be shut on two consecutive weekends, in both directions between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith. between 8pm on Friday January 2 and 5am on Monday January 5, and from 8pm on Friday January 9 to 5am Monday January 12.
The new bridge is set to carry trains on the West Coast Main Line over the M6.
The previous Clifton bridge is nearly 60 years old and weight restrictions mean it can only carry one train at a time, causing delays to services.
The new bridge, measuring 130m in length and weighing around 4,200 tonnes, will be installed by Network Rail and delivery partner Skanska above the motorway at Clifton close to Penrith.
Network Rail said that to make the most of the dual closure, more than 80 kilometres of overhead cables which power trains will also be replaced, and significant work will take place on an ongoing £61m digital upgrade to signalling systems north of Carlisle.
West Coast Main Line closure details are as follows:
- From January 1-4 2026, the line will be closed through Preston, between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie.
- From January 5-6 2026, the line through Preston will be open. The railway between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie, will remain closed for work.
- From January 7-14 2026, the line north of Carlisle will be open. The railway between Oxenholme and Carlisle will be closed as the work to replace Clifton bridge continues until the early hours of January 15.
Preston Railway Station will be closed altogether from January 1-4 and rail replacement buses will run.
The area around the station is expected to be much busier than usual on these dates.
Anyone travelling on the West Coast Main Line during this period should check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
Beyond the Beat: Two arrests after assault in Lancaster city centre
Morecambe MP "appalled" as Lancashire set to quit refugee resettlement scheme
Replica RAF helicopter to go on display in Lancaster at three-day show
Life-size knitted mannequin pops up ahead of Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Stars play in celebrity football match in Morecambe in memory of brave teenager
Roses are red! Lancaster University students celebrate fifth straight victory
70 homes in Carnforth evacuated after bomb scare
