Cumbrian Coast line closed at Whitehaven “indefinitely”

The railway between Whitehaven and Corkicle, on the Cumbrian Coast line, will remain closed indefinitely, Network Rail has announced.

The line was initially closed over the weekend of 25 to 29 July to allow engineers to access the one-kilometre-long Bransty tunnel to prepare for a planned replacement of track and drainage that was scheduled to take place between 30 August and 22 September. In recent years the tunnel has been flooding with water containing iron ochre, understood to be from historic mine workings, which has resulted in train speed restrictions.

However, during their initial inspection, engineers carried out tests to assess any weight limits needed for the heavy plant and machinery that will be used during the planned renewals. Those tests uncovered some areas under the railway which need strengthening before any work can progress.

Specialist engineering teams have been called in to decide exactly how to carry out the extra ground strengthening work. They are working with the Mining Remediation Authority to determine if these latest surveys have discovered any previously unmapped mine workings beneath Bransty Tunnel and are drawing up plans for the extra work needed to strengthen the tunnel floor.

Repairs must be completed before the track renewal can take place, and it’s likely that the renewal will now be carried out later than expected. The exact timeframes for how long these repairs will take and the subsequent track improvements are still being worked through.

After assessing the initial survey data, Network Rail has closed Bransty Tunnel to all trains until further notice.

Darren Miller, Network Rail’s North West route infrastructure director, said: “The preparatory surveys have revealed previously unknown ground conditions which we need to investigate further so we can carry out repairs and get the line reopened as soon as possible.

“We’re working closely with train operator Northern and our freight customers on alternative routes and rail replacement bus services. I’d encourage anyone planning to travel on the Cumbrian Coast Line to regularly check National Rail Enquiries while we work hard to restore services through Bransty Tunnel.”