A BUSY motorway has shut for a second weekend in a row as a replacement bridge is installed.
Drivers in Cumbria are bracing for more disruption as Network Rail installs a new bridge, part of the wider Clifton Bridge scheme essential to the West Coast Main Line.
It means both northbound and southbound carriageways will be closed between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 at Penrith from 8pm on Friday until 5am on Monday.
National Highways is urging motorists to avoid the area where possible or use official diversion routes.
They also advise motorists to check traffic and weather conditions before travelling.
Last weekend’s initial closure allowed the old bridge structure to be removed – giving some idea to the level of disruption expected this weekend.
DIG DEEP
Mega £18m tunnel linking UK’s newest ‘garden city’ to shopping centre is CONFIRMED
U-TURN
Revolutionary SUV will now survive until 2027 after being discontinued a year ago
While daytime congestion was reported, opening the southbound A6 overnight helped reduce delays – particularly for lorries.
Recovery teams were deployed promptly to clear incidents and breakdowns along diversion routes, while many drivers followed advice to delay journeys or take alternatives – which seemed to ease overall traffic volumes.
But some drivers attempted to bypass official diversions – leading to fixed penalty notices.
Indeed, Cumbria Police carried out 44 enforcement actions and will maintain the same level of enforcement and oversight this weekend – working with National Highways and Westmorland and Furness Council to monitor traffic.
Three diversions are in place; Northbound traffic should leave the M6 at junction 39, follow the A6 and rejoin at junction 40 via Kemplay Roundabout, while Heavy Goods Vehicles heading south must exit at junction 40, take the eastbound A66 to Scotch Corner and join the A1(M).
Other southbound drivers are advised to take the A66 towards Brough, then continue on the A685 through Kirkby Stephen to reconnect with the M6 at junction 38 near Tebay.
Depending on traffic conditions, the southbound A6 may also open overnight as a quicker alternative.
Steve Mason, programme delivery manager for National Highways, said: “We’d like to thank motorway users and particularly local people for their support over the weekend.
“There was congestion during the day, as expected, but diversion routes worked well and, as promised, the southbound A6 was open overnight to reduce journey times for all motorists, including HGV drivers.
Speaking about this weekend, he added: “Those who must travel should check traffic and weather conditions and follow official diversion routes – or choose routes well away from the county.”
Some of the country’s largest excavators were used to break away the 1960s-built concrete bridge – which towered over six lanes of the highway.