Clifton Bridge, which carries the West Coast Primary Line railway over the M6 toll road close to Penrith in Cumbria, is coming down as a part of a £60m renewal programme.
Community Rail has launched timelapse video photos appearing the demolition of the 130-metre-long bridge.
Community Rail and its primary contractor Skanska finished the primary section taking out Clifton Bridge within the early hours of this morning, Monday 5th January 2026.
It required a complete toll road closure of the M6 between junctions 39 and 40 from 8pm on Friday 2nd till 3.50am lately – reopening 70 mins previous than scheduled.
A fleet of one of the nation’s biggest excavators have been used to chip away on the Nineteen Sixties concrete construction, which had spanned the six-lanes toll road for almost 60 years.
Newt weekend will see a alternative 4,200-tonne metal and concrete construction moved into position all the way through an additional 57-hour toll road closure (8.00pm Friday 9th till 5.00am Monday 12th January).

Rosario Barcena, Skanska UK rail programme director, mentioned: “It is been an implausible effort through all of the crew to finish the demolition of the previous Clifton Bridge, running 24/7 around the weekend to make certain that the M6 toll road may re-open on Monday morning.
“Technically it was once a posh operation which we controlled with nice precision and care. The works have been finished safely, with the strengthen buildings that the brand new 4,200 tonne bridge will sit down on effectively retained.
“It is been a super-collaborative means with Community Rail, Nationwide Highways and our provide chain crew. I would additionally like to increase my because of other people travelling within the area and the local people for his or her working out whilst we adopt those very important works.”
Community Rail North West and Central area capital supply director Christian Irwin mentioned: “This £60m challenge paperwork a part of our primary funding programme to strengthen trips at the West Coast Primary Line for passengers and freight for generations to come back.”
This challenge is only one of a swathe of upgrades between London and Cumbria over the festive season, with just about £200m of labor being performed alongside the West Coast Primary Line.
Additionally lately, a significant railway junction between Northampton and Milton Keynes reopened after a £26m observe renewal which started on Christmas Eve.
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