Railway tunnel expected to be closed until Easter

The floor of Brantsy Tunnel between Whitehaven and Corkickle needs to be reinforced

A railway tunnel will remain closed until spring 2026, Network Rail say.

The Bransty tunnel between Whitehaven and Corkickle on the Cumbrian Coast Line was shut in July after engineers found its floor needed "significant reinforcement".

Replacement buses have been put on and trains have been operating on either side of the closure which followed the discovery of old mine structures during survey work.

Matt Rice, chief operating officer for the train company Northern, apologised for the "frustration" passengers were suffering on a line linking remote communities between Barrow and Carlisle and serving major employers such as Sellafield.

Engineers began scheduled survey work on the 1km (0.6 miles) long section in July ahead of track and drainage upgrades, but then found the tunnel floor needed reinforcement to support the heavy machinery needed for the work.

Network Rail said: "The extent of the work needed means Bransty tunnel, between Whitehaven and Corkickle is expected to be closed until spring 2026.

"The extent of strengthening work needed means the tunnel cannot safely reopen until completion of comprehensive repairs."