Network Rail has announced track improvement works will begin later this month along part of the Cumbrian Coast Line.

Starting on the 19th October for 7 Sundays work will take place on the Cumbrian Coast Line between Drigg and Bootle. two miles of track will be replaced along with ballast replacement and upgrades to drainage.

Part of the Great North Rail Project, the £2.8m investment follows work earlier in the year between Silecroft and Bootle. Passengers should find the journey smoother along the new tracks.

The investment on the Cumbrian Coast Line forms part of a study by Cumbria County Council, the Cumbrian LEP, Department of Transport and Network Rail. The study aims to find out how the area’s economy can benefit from more trains in the future.

During the works, trains will be replaced by buses, between Millom and Sellafield on 20 October, and between Barrow and Millom on 27 October and 3 November. With buses in operation between Millom and Sellafield on 10, 17 and 24 November, and on 1 December.

Passengers who may be affected should plan ahead and check details on www.nationalrail.co.uk before traveling.

What did the officials say?

Phil James, North West route director at Network Rail, said:

“We’re committed to putting Cumbrian passengers first. This work as part of the Great North Rail Project will not only make the coast line more reliable for Northern passengers but also for economically important freight trains travelling along this picturesque route.

“The essential work has been carefully planned to cause the least disruption to passengers. We thank people for their patience and advise people travelling between Barrow and Carlisle to check with National Rail Enquiries or Northern if they plan to travel by rail on Sundays.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said:

“The work being carried out by Network Rail is a vital part of the continued improvements we are making for customers on the Cumbrian Coast line. The work will future proof the line and, together with improvements we are making to trains, will give our customers more comfortable journeys than ever before.”

“I’d like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while the improvements are completed. And they can rest assured that Northern and Network Rail will work together to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland, said:

“I recognise the inconvenience of not having the 21 trains running on a Sunday, following our hard work campaigning to get them, but this essential maintenance means that our service along the Cumbrian coastal railway line will be more reliable. I am delighted that so much investment is going into our local line, it’s not before time, and we have so many more services now.”

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