Motorists are being urged to plan ahead for significant travel disruption this January, with a key stretch of the M6 motorway set to close for two consecutive weekends.
Full closure details and diversion advice
The M6 will be shut in both directions between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith. The closure will be in force from 8pm on Friday evenings until 5am on Monday mornings over the affected weekends. This is to allow for the critical replacement of a 60-year-old railway bridge at Clifton, which has reached the end of its serviceable life.
Network Rail, which is managing the project, has warned drivers to expect major disruption and to allow extra time for their journeys. The organisation stated it is working with partners to minimise the impact and keep the public informed.
Why the bridge replacement is essential
The existing structure, which carries the West Coast Main Line over the motorway, is being replaced with a brand-new bridge designed to last for 120 years. Network Rail says this crucial upgrade will enhance safety and improve journey reliability for both road users and rail passengers on this major north-south corridor for decades to come.
Preparation work is already underway, involving:
- Erecting site fencing and setting up compounds.
- Diverting utility services like electricity and water.
- Installing temporary support structures ahead of the main bridge lift in early January 2026.
Concurrent rail closures on the West Coast Main Line
The motorway closure coincides with an extensive period of work on the railway above. Parts of the West Coast Main Line will be closed from 24 December 2025 until 15 January 2026.
The specific impact on rail travel is as follows:
From 1 to 4 January 2026, the line will be closed through Preston, between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and between Carlisle and Dumfries and Lockerbie.
From 5 to 6 January, the line through Preston reopens, but closures remain in place between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie.
From 7 to 14 January, the line north of Carlisle reopens. However, the railway between Oxenholme and Carlisle will stay closed as work on the Clifton bridge continues until the early hours of 15 January.
Passengers are advised to check with their train operator for the latest travel information and replacement bus services during this period.
