M6 bridge works to cost locals millions - critics

4 hours ago

Jonny Manning

BBC News, North East and Cumbria

There are eight bridges in a six-mile (10km) stretch of the Lune Gorge which need to be repaired

National Highways A view from the hillside at Tebay looking north-east towards two bridges carrying the M6 and the West Coast Mainline over the River Lune and in between the Howgill Fells just south of Tebay, Cumbria on a sunny day. — There are eight bridges in a six-mile (10km) stretch of the Lune Gorge which need to be repaired

The closure of a busy junction on the M6 during essential bridge repair work will cost local people millions and could put jobs at risks, critics of the project have said.

National Highways is set to repair eight bridges that carry the M6 and A685 over the Lune Gorge in Cumbria because the structures are coming to the end of their serviceable life.

Charlotte Iniff, who lives in Tebay, said the closures would lead to drivers ignoring diversion signs and would create "rat runs" through nearby villages.

A National Highways spokesperson said the "works are vital to improve safety" and it would "look to reduce disruption as much as possible when the main work starts in two years".

Ms Iniff is calling for National Highways to find an alternative plan, which would allow Junction 38 to remain open.

"Our villages and roads will be full of frustrated motorway traffic and they are just not suitable," she said.

"It will be dangerous. The lengthy diversions will mean family life will be disrupted for many, leaving children and elderly residents isolated from schools, hospitals and key services."

Critics have said closing junction 38 will lead to increased travel costs for locals

National Highways A high up view of the M6 motorway at the Lune Gorge between the Howgill Fells near Tebay, Cumbria with a number of lorries and cars travelling on the road in sunny conditions. — Critics have said closing junction 38 will lead to increased travel costs for locals

Critics have claimed those living in the area will suffer £1.5m in costs for additional travel because of the junction closure.

They also claimed businesses will see profits fall by a total of £8m and the road closures could lead to the loss of between 130 and 150 jobs.

National Highways said junction 38 would remain open in at least one direction during the bridge works and the organisation was in regular contact with local MPs and other partners about its plans.

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said the four-year closure of junction 38 and the temporary closure of the A685 bridge near Tebay would be "devastating for local residents".

"Precious little thought has been given to the communities of Tebay, Grayrigg, Kirkby Stephen, and Orton," he said.

"The partial closure of junction 38 at the same time as the closure of the bridge on the A685 just outside of Tebay will be devastating for local residents, families, businesses and farms."

Lyon Equipment Limited provides safety equipment for the emergency services from its base in Tebay.

Managing director Jonathan Capper said: "The rescue services rely on our next day delivery to provide appropriate national emergency rescue cover.

"The partial closure of junction 38 will inevitably mean that we will not be able to provide the level of service required by these emergency services."

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