Drivers Face Overnight Closures On M6 From Next Week.
Drivers using the M6 in Cumbria are being warned of overnight closures from next week, with National Highways preparing to carry out resurfacing, pothole repairs and bridge maintenance.
The first closure will take place on the northbound M6 between Junction 36 and Junction 39 at Borrowbeck on Thursday, September 3, subject to suitable weather and site conditions. The carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am. The initial overnight closure will continue from Thursday, September 3 until Friday, September 4, allowing contractors to carry out pothole repairs and resurfacing work on the motorway.
Drivers travelling northbound during the closure will be required to follow a diversion route. Traffic will be directed via the A590, A591, A5284 Windermere Road, A6 and B6261 before rejoining the M6 at Junction 39.
Further maintenance work will begin on Monday, September 7, focusing on the underside of bridges at Tebay and Borrowbeck. The work will involve specialist operations designed to maintain the condition and safety of the structures.
Part of the work involves the removal of asbestos-containing materials and the application of specialist coatings to seal and contain other materials. Licensed contractors will carry out the work using controlled and enclosed working areas.
Specialist equipment including mobile elevated work platforms, temporary scaffolding and protective equipment will be used during the bridge maintenance programme. The arrangements are designed to allow the work to be completed safely.
The maintenance project is expected to continue until the end of November, although the timetable could change depending on weather conditions, river levels and operational requirements. Public rights of way in the affected areas will remain open, with measures in place to ensure safe access is maintained while the work takes place.
The maintenance forms part of National Highways' wider Lune Gorge scheme, which involves plans to replace seven bridges across a six-mile stretch of the M6 between Junctions 37 and 38. The bridges involved in the wider scheme are reaching the end of their serviceable life, making the planned replacement programme an important long-term investment in the motorway network.
The main construction work for the Lune Gorge scheme is expected to begin in spring next year, meaning motorists can expect further activity in the area as the wider project progresses. Drivers planning journeys through the area are being advised to allow extra time during overnight closures and to check diversion information before travelling.
The temporary restrictions are expected to cause changes to normal journey routes, particularly for motorists who regularly use the M6 between the affected junctions. National Highways is carrying out the work as part of efforts to maintain and improve important infrastructure on one of Cumbria's major transport routes. With the first closure scheduled for September 3, motorists travelling through the affected section of the M6 should plan ahead and be prepared to follow the signed diversion.
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