A project, costing £2 million, is set to improve a coastal viaduct to make journeys on the Cumbrian Coast Line more reliable for passengers.

The project, as part of the Great North Rail Project, will see wooden timbers and 600 metres of rail renewed on the Eskmeals Viaduct.

Eskmeals Viaduct was built in 1868 and still has its original iron girders.

Phil James, route director for Network Rail‘s North West route, said: “This significant Great North Rail Project investment at Eskmeals viaduct will ensure that the Cumbrian Coast line remains safe and reliable for passenger and freight trains for many more years to come. We know that this is the second time in a month that part of this line has been closed, and I want to thank passengers for their patience while work takes place. In line with government advice around coronavirus, we’re continuing to ask passengers to avoid public transport if at all possible and to only travel by train where your journey is essential.”

The work will mean that the viaduct will be closed for eight nights between Saturday 20th and Monday 29th June.

Rail replacement buses will be provided between Millom and Sellafield.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The viaduct at Eskmeals is iconic and an important part of the railway heritage in Cumbria. But it’s more than that, it’s also a vital part of the current rail network. The viaduct has stood for more than 150 years and the improvements being carried out by Network Rail will future-proof it for generations to come.”

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