National Highways reveals extensive bridge replacement scheme on M6

A significant upgrade involving bridges on a segment of a major motorway network has been announced. National Highways has disclosed plans to replace eight bridge deck structures along a six-mile (10k) stretch of the M6, situated between junctions 37 and 38, as it passes through Lune Gorge near Tebay, in Cumbria. Of these structures, seven facilitate the M6’s passage between the Howgill Fells, while the remaining bridge carries the A685 road across the M6 in the vicinity of Roundthwaite village. The primary construction phase is slated to commence in 2027 and is projected to continue until winter 2030-31, resulting in an estimated four-year period of disruption for motorists. The agency indicated that the design for what it termed “a major once-in-a-lifetime facelift” is still being finalised. This section of road reached its 50th year in 2020 and is “now showing its age.” Preliminary work and a series of community engagement sessions are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025. Khalid El-Rayes, the senior project manager, expressed optimism that the undertaking would ensure the route’s longevity for many decades. He stated: “When this section of the M6 opened in 1970, no one could have predicted the huge rise in road use, with thousands of cars, coaches, vans and HGVs now pounding the motorway daily.” He further added, “That’s taken its toll, but this will ensure it runs for the next 60 years without any planned closures.” In an interview with BBC Radio Cumbria, he elaborated: “It’s a major piece of work, we’ve got two national parks either side of this stretch of motorway.” He continued: “We’ve got the River Lune, the West Coast mainline railway runs parallel to the motorway as well as some significant and reliant communities.” The dimensions of the eight bridges vary, with lengths spanning from 151ft (46m) to 466ft (142m) and heights ranging from 16ft (5m) to 56ft (17m). Mr. Khalid El-Rayes stated that efforts would be made to minimise inconvenience, with traffic expected to continue using the motorway via a “two-by-two contraflow.” The monetary expenditure for this undertaking has not yet been disclosed.