Rail passengers are being thanked for their patience as the West Coast Main Line fully reopened following the completion of multiple journey-improving projects carried out since the start of 2026.
Yesterday marked the return of services along the northern section of Britain’s busiest mixed-use passenger and freight route after 14 days of essential engineering work.
The most significant upgrade was the replacement of a 4,200-tonne, 130-metre-long bridge spanning the M6 just south of Penrith in Cumbria. This ambitious project saw the old structure demolished and a new £60m bridge installed in just two weeks. Footage has been released showing the first trains crossing the new structure, underlining the scale and success of the operation.
To minimise disruption during the closure, Network Rail and Avanti West Coast collaborated to keep customers on trains for as much of their journeys as possible. A special shuttle service operated on the historic Settle to Carlisle line – the first time in a decade that this diversionary route has been used.
Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail Capital Delivery Director for the North West and Central region, said:
“We have used this vital 14-day closure to make the biggest possible impact on the West Coast Main Line with multiple major upgrades now completed. As a result of the hard work of hundreds of our colleagues, both passengers and our freight operators will have a more reliable railway for generations to come.
We have worked closely with National Highways and train operators to limit the disruption to road and rail users while the M6 bridge replacement has taken place. I’d like to thank them and local communities impacted by the diversionary routes and those close to our construction site while we carried out this project to secure the future of not one, but two nationally important transport links.”
Image and video credits: Network Rail
