Eight bridge deck structures along the M6 will be replaced as part of an extensive facelift programme
National Highways has unveiled an ambitious project to replace eight bridge decks along the M6 through Lune Gorge in Cumbria, signalling an extensive update. Drivers are being given a heads-up about potential delays due to the significant renovations set to take place on a major UK bridge, marking the first refurbishment of this scale in 50 years.
The revamp will involve upgrades to the six-mile stretch between junctions 37 and 38 at Tebay along the M6 – a route well-trodden by motorists from Liverpool and beyond. Seven bridges that form part of the M6’s infrastructure within the gorgeous landscape and an additional one that supports the local A685 road over the motorway near Roundthwaite are included in this facelift.
The bridges vary in size, ranging from 46 metres to the grand span of 142 metres and sit at heights spanning from five to 17 metres.
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Despite being a recent celebrant of its half-century birthday in 2020, the Lune Gorge section of the motorway exhibits clear signs of wear and tear, prompting this major restoration plan spearheaded by National Highways. Early-stage groundwork is expected to commence next year with the bulk of construction work projected for a 2027 start, reports Birmingham Live.
Khalid El-Rayes, National Highways’ senior project manager, emphasised the urgency of the situation: “The bridges that carry the M6 and A685 over the Lune Gorge in Cumbria are rapidly reaching the end of their serviceable life. When this section of the M6 was opened in 1970 no-one could have predicted the huge rise in domestic and commercial traffic, with thousands of cars, coaches, vans and HGVs now pounding the motorway daily.”
“That huge volume of traffic has taken its toll, but this project will ensure this section of the M6 plays a key role in connecting businesses and communities across the north and beyond for decades to come.”
A bridge deck is essentially the surface of a bridge where vehicles drive over and a crucial structural component of the bridge. National Highways has stated that future-proofing the M6 at this stage will not only boost safety for those using the motorway but also cut down on costs and inconvenience stemming from unexpected maintenance and emergency repairs as the bridges experience wear and tear and further deterioration.
