MAJOR plans to replace a railway bridge over the M6 have been unveiled by Network Rail.

The project received prior approval from Westmorland & Furness' planning authority on June 25.

The railway company is set to replace the bridge that carries the West Coast Mainline over the M6 in Clifton, Penrith, with a weathering steel deck and parapets.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "Network Rail recently submitted a prior approval application to Westmorland and Furness council regarding plans to replace a bridge that takes trains over the M6 in Clifton, Penrith.

"The bridge needs replacing to keep passengers, railway workers and motorists safe for years to come.

"We expect the work to take place at the start of 2026, and we will share more information about our considerations for passengers, motorists, and the local community soon."

The existing bridge is formed of a three-span continuous post-tensioned segmental twin-cell concrete underbridge on the West Coast Mainline between Oxenholme and Penrith. 

Constructed in 1967, the core structure passes over 6 lanes of the M6 motorway, with a span of 57.9 metres.

In June 2022, a comprehensive examination of the bridge found several significant structural faults.

These included heavy corrosion of the bearings, hairline fractures to the high mileage abutment, a possible sign that the bearings may be seizing, as well as extensive amounts of spalled concrete and exposed secondary reinforcement across the superstructure.

Similar damage is developing to the soffit of the central span over the motorway.

Additionally, there is widespread cracking to the post-tensioned box girder both internally and externally.

Network Rail has proposed to address these defects through the reconstruction of the bridge as the most efficient solution.

With work expected to begin at the start of 2026, further details concerning potential disruptions and road closures will be announced in due course.