West Coast Main Line trains to use historic railway line during £60m Preston and Carlisle closure
Rail passengers in Preston and across Lancashire will see services diverted onto the historic Settle to Carlisle line in January during two weeks of essential engineering work.
Avanti West Coast has confirmed its services will be diverted along the 73-mile route for the first time in more than a decade while Network Rail replaces Clifton Bridge near Penrith.
The £60m project, scheduled for the first two weeks of January, will also see the M6 closed between junctions 39 and 40 on the first two weekends of the year.
The 60-year-old bridge currently has weight restrictions limiting trains to one at a time, causing delays.
To keep passengers moving, Avanti will operate a shuttle service between Preston and Carlisle using its bi-mode Evero trains, capable of running on both electric and diesel.
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: “Our plan to run Evero trains on the Settle to Carlisle line is all about giving our passengers the best experience during next January’s extensive engineering work.
“We know through industry research that during planned disruption customers prefer to stay on trains and avoid lengthy replacement bus journeys where possible.
“With this work only a few months away, there has been a huge collaborative effort between ourselves, Network Rail and the wider rail industry to find the best solution for customers which utilises our flexible bi-mode Evero fleet, ensuring that we keep Scotland and the North West open for travel when the West Coast Main Line is blocked.”
The Settle to Carlisle line, famous for its sweeping views across the Yorkshire Dales and the Ribblehead viaduct, is normally only used by Northern services linking Leeds and Carlisle.
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “We work together as a rail industry to keep passengers on trains and limit disruption as much as possible during our planned engineering upgrades.
“This diversionary route is a testament to our collaboration.
“It is fantastic to be able to offer passengers a viable route around the work, with as little delay to their journey as possible, while we carry out the main part of this essential upgrade.”
For Blackpool passengers changing at Preston, services to Scotland will run via Settle or be advised to travel using the East Coast Main Line.
Rail replacement buses will serve Lancaster, Oxenholme and Penrith.
Timetables are expected in October.