Network Rail is advising passengers to plan ahead as repairs to the Cumbrian Coast line take place after the sea wall was battered by storms.

Recent inspections at Parton found huge waves and gales caused cracks to appear in a railway bridge after storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge.

Repair work had already started, but investigations found the damage to be worse than first thought.

To make the railway safe and reliable the bridge carrying the tracks is being replaced over the coming months.

Bus replacement services will be in operation for passengers between Workington and Whitehaven until the summer.

Trains will continue to run on the rest of the Cumbrian Coast line between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness.

What did the officials say?

Phil James, route director for Network Rail‘s North West route, said:

“The severe storms earlier this year battered Cumbria’s railway and we’re still working hard to repair the damage. Our engineers are replacing the bridge at Parton to make this exposed section of railway much more reliable in the future. I’m sorry for the inconvenience this will cause for passengers using the Cumbrian Coast line.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said:

“The extreme weather earlier this year was prolonged and we are still feeling the effects of the damage caused.

“The repairs being carried out at Parton are vital if rail services are to return and I’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding.

“Of course, services in the area are also being limited by measures to restrict the spread of coronavirus, but the rail industry is doing all it can to keep key workers on the move during this difficult time.”

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