Total Closures of the M6 in Cumbria for two weekends in January 2026

Stuart - I assume that this is also associated with the closure of the west coast mainline trains as well? If so, this is the opportunity for people to try the alternative route for Avanti trains between Preston and Carlisle which will be a diversion along the stunning Settle to Carlisle line.

Yes, it's part and parcel of the same work.

The railway closure is in several parts- initially it is Wigan to Lockerbie (due to separate work between Carlisle and Gretna junction), then later Preston to Carlisle.

So in the opening stages the diversions are Carlisle to Wigan (not via Preston). And on New Years Day only there is a unique Avanti Wrexham to Carlisle train at 0820 calling at Chester, Crewe (reverse), Warrington and Wigan only.

The rail diversions are in part because the motorway closure means that it will be too hard to run replacement buses through from Preston to Carlisle.

The diversions via the Settle and Carlisle then the Ribble Valley lines are being run using Avanti's brand new Evero trains (being taken off the Birmingham, Liverpool and North Wales routes.

Today has been a very difficult day in the area with very long delays, and people diverting every which way through tiny villages.

There was a permit system in place to stop that happening and keep people on the official diversion routes, which has totally failed to work.

The Central lakes have also suffered from unauthorised diversions.

There have also been two serious accidents in the congestion on the A6 northbound, one requiring air ambulance attendance.

Please, please avoid the whole of Cumbria if driving up or down from Scotland, and seriously consider diverting via Manchester and the A1 if at all possible, or using the diverted rail service.

The new bridge is now in place, and the M6 has re-opened 13 hours early.