Drivers are being reminded to stick to official diversion routes or avoid a key section of the M6 through Cumbria this weekend – with a second weekend closure of the motorway as Network Rail continues its Clifton bridge replacement project.
The old bridge, over the M6 at Clifton between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 at Penrith, was successfully demolished on Saturday and Sunday during the first of two weekend closures of the motorway.
The West Coast Main Line mainline is a critical part of the national rail network and the new bridge will be installed over the motorway this weekend.
The motorway will be closed again in both directions between junction 39 and junction 40 from 8pm on Friday (9 January) to 5am on Monday (12 January).
Three main diversion routes for through traffic will be in place:
Northbound drivers leaving the M6 at junction 39 to join the A6 - rejoining the M6 at junction 40 via Kemplay roundabout
Southbound HGVs leaving the M6 at junction 40 and being diverted onto the A1(M) at Scotch Corner via the eastbound A66
Other southbound drivers leaving at junction 40 diverted along the eastbound A66 to Brough and joining the southbound A685 to rejoin the M6 at junction 38 at Tebay via Kirkby Stephen
As with last weekend - and again depending on traffic volumes - the A6 will be available as a shorter and more direct diversion to southbound drivers during overnight periods on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
During last weekend’s work drivers appear to have heeded advice to postpone journeys or plan alternative routes well away from this part of Cumbria with traffic levels down. However, some villagers reported problems with drivers avoiding the official diversion routes – with some drivers receiving fixed penalty notices. RTCs and breakdowns on the diversion routes also made for slow going at times but these were cleared as quickly as possible with National Highways deploying its own recovery agents to remove vehicles.
Steve Mason, National Highways programme delivery manager, said:
“We’d like to thank motorway users and particularly local people for their patience and support over the weekend. There was congestion during the day as expected but at other times there was a good flow on the diversion routes and, as promised, we were able to open the southbound A6 overnight to reduce journey times for everyone including HGV drivers.
“For the forthcoming weekend we once again are urging anyone thinking of driving through this part of Cumbria to postpone their plans if possible. Anyone who does need to travel should check traffic and weather conditions before setting out and stick to the official diversions - or choose routes well away from the county.”
Chief Superintended Carl Patrick, Cumbria Police, said:
“Last weekend saw Cumbria Police working with partners including National Highways and Westmorland and Furness Council highways to minimise, as much as possible, the impact of the closure of the M6 at J39 and J40 on our communities.
“Cumbria Police had additional resources deployed throughout the weekend, including Roads Policing Officers and Safety Camera Vans, with 44 pieces of enforcement activity being undertaken.
“The same policing response is in place for this weekend’s closure, and we will be working partners to closely monitor traffic movements.
“If you have any highways concerns relating to the M6 or A66 report them to National Highways -https://report.nationalhighways.co.uk/
“If you have any other concerns relating to highways, the quickest and easiest way to report this is via the Westmorland and Furness website at: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/.../report....
“Anyone wishing to report a road traffic incident can do so via the Cumbria Constabulary website - Making a road traffic incident report | Cumbria Police or via calling 101.”
During this weekend’s closure staff at National Highways’ regional operations centre near Warrington and traffic officers at Cumbria’s two outstations at Lowhurst near Carlisle and Millness near Kendal, will once again be working around the clock to monitor traffic and clear any incidents as quickly as possible. Extra winter resilience and breakdown resources will again be deployed along the A66 and diversion routes using local roads.
National Highways is also again running a free text alert system during the weekend which is available by texting 'M6 Clifton Railway Replacement' to 07723 402 215.
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