Work underway to replace a railway bridge on the West Coast Main Line could bring a spin off benefit for the route that will be used to continue services between Scotland and England.
Rail services are being diverted along the Settle Carlisle railway line for the next fortnight meaning passengers will be treated to scenic views of some of the UK’s best countryside.
Banners have been made for stations along the route to highlight the railway line in the hope passengers will return and enjoy a longer period of time at destinations along the historic link.
“The Settle to Carlisle Railway and the countryside that it passes through is some of the finest that our Nation has to offer,” chair of Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, Pete Myers told Business Crack: “We in the Settle-Carlisle Development Company want to ensure that those being diverted due the essential works on the West Coast Main Line, know exactly where they are and hopefully come back to visit us in the future.”
The new bridge above the motorway at Clifton close to Penrith measures 130m in length and weighs 4,200 tonnes, and is being installed by Network Rail and delivery partner Skanska during a two-week closure of the line.
The removal of the previous bridge and installation of the new structure will began on the evening of New Year’s Eve.
No trains will run on the West Coast Main Line from Oxenholme to Carlisle until the morning of January 15.
The M6 was shut last weekend – reopening this morning – and will also close between 8pm on Friday January 9 and 5am Monday January 12.
