Clifton Bridge, which carries the West Coast Major Line railway over the M6 dual carriageway close to Penrith in Cumbria, is coming down as a part of a £60m renewal programme.
Community Rail has launched timelapse video pictures appearing the demolition of the 130-metre-long bridge.
Community Rail and its most important contractor Skanska finished the primary section casting off Clifton Bridge within the early hours of this morning, Monday 5th January 2026.
It required a complete dual carriageway 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 crucial nation’s biggest excavators have been used to chip away on the Sixties concrete construction, which had spanned the six-lanes dual carriageway for just about 60 years.
Newt weekend will see a alternative 4,200-tonne metal and concrete construction moved into position throughout an extra 57-hour dual carriageway closure (8.00pm Friday 9th till 5.00am Monday 12th January).

Rosario Barcena, Skanska UK rail programme director, mentioned: “It is been a fantastic effort by means of all the workforce to finish the demolition of the previous Clifton Bridge, running 24/7 around the weekend to make certain that the M6 dual carriageway may just re-open on Monday morning.
“Technically it used to be a fancy operation which we controlled with nice precision and care. The works have been finished safely, with the enhance constructions that the brand new 4,200 tonne bridge will take a seat on effectively retained.
“It is been a super-collaborative way with Community Rail, Nationwide Highways and our provide chain workforce. I would additionally like to increase my due to other folks travelling within the area and the local people for his or her figuring 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 support trips at the West Coast Major 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 Major Line.
Additionally lately, a significant railway junction between Northampton and Milton Keynes reopened after a £26m monitor renewal which started on Christmas Eve.
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