Rail passengers are being urged to plan their journeys in advance during essential track upgrades in Whitehaven this summer.
Network Rail will replace railway lines and sleepers, track foundation stone (ballast) and drainage through the 1km long Bransty Tunnel which connects Whitehaven and Corkickle.
In recent years the tunnel has been flooding with water containing iron ochre, understood to be from historic mine workings, which has resulted in train speed restrictions.
Once the work is complete it will mean faster and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight on the Cumbrian Coast Line.
The scale of the project will see a full railway closure between 30 August and 22 September with rail replacement buses in place to keep people on the move.
Also, in preparation for the main phase of the renewal, the line will be closed for one weekend from late Friday 25 to Monday 28 July.
People are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk and allow more time to complete their journeys during the essential railway upgrades.
Darren Miller, Network Rail’s North West route infrastructure director said: “We thank people in advance for their patience during our extended closure of Bransty Tunnel so we can carry out essential track and drainage renewals to improve future journeys between Whitehaven and Corkickle. We always try to plan our improvements to cause the least disruption to passengers, which is why we have scheduled it in late summer to avoid the peak holiday season. If you’re planning to travel between 26 and 28 July and 30 August and 22 September please check National Rail Enquiries so you know exactly what to expect from your journey.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “We are working hard to minimise disruption while essential engineering works are taking place in Bransty Tunnel in Whitehaven and will be running rail replacement services. Customers are asked to check before they travel as journeys may take longer than usual. We will provide more information on our website and in posters and announcements at stations along the route.”
Carrying out track upgrades in the confines of a tunnel is always complex and takes careful planning.
With the added challenge of the floodwater, Network Rail has worked closely with the Environment Agency to deliver the project sensitively*.
Pete Miles, environment and monitoring manager at the Environment Agency said: “We have been working closely with Network Rail and their consultants as they have developed plans to renew the tracks and ballast in Bransty Tunnel. We are satisfied that the control measures being implemented mean no release of iron ochre above that currently being observed should occur and will be inspecting the site during the works to check the impact on the harbour”.
For more journey information please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.northernrailway.co.uk.
Image credit: Network Rail
