Drivers on a key stretch of the M6 motorway are facing a drastic reduction in speed limits and prolonged junction closures as a major repair project gets underway in Cumbria. National Highways has confirmed plans that could see speed limits drop to as low as 30mph and the closure of a crucial junction for up to three years.
Major Bridge Replacements Spark Years of Disruption
The extensive works are part of the wider Lune Gorge project, which involves replacing seven bridges that carry the M6 over the Lune gorge. National Highways states these "S-joint bridges are reaching the end of their lifespan" and the work is essential. The project will involve overnight closures, weekend shutdowns, and contraflow systems with severely reduced speed limits.
The most contentious element is the planned closure of Junction 38 at Tebay. The proposal is to close the southbound junction for 18 months, followed by the northbound junction for a further 18 months. This would effectively isolate the local community from direct motorway access for a total of three years, within a wider programme of disruption lasting four to six years.
Local Backlash and Political Intervention
The planned closures have sparked significant local opposition. A petition supporting the "Keep Junction 38 Open" campaign has already gathered over 1,700 signatures. Local MP and Liberal Democrat, Tim Farron, has been a vocal critic of the current plan.
Farron argues that the full junction closures are unnecessary, suggesting alternatives like temporary slip roads have not been properly considered. He has also raised serious concerns about the impact assessment, stating: "National Highways has, astonishingly, not produced a full impact assessment for the project—no assessment of the impact on the road network and no assessment of the impact on the wider community."
He warned that the plan "will devastate local businesses" that rely on proximity to the motorway, and criticised the intention to divert heavy traffic onto rural roads.
Government Response and Unavoidable Disruption
Responding to the concerns in Parliament, Labour government minister Simon Lightwood acknowledged the legitimate worries of the community and road users. He stated that while National Highways has no intention to inconvenience people, "some level of disruption is unavoidable" due to the scale and nature of the essential bridge replacement work.
The project highlights the difficult balance between maintaining critical national infrastructure and minimising impact on local economies and daily travel. With work set to begin, drivers using the M6 through Cumbria must prepare for significant delays and rerouting for the foreseeable future.
