U-turn on bridge closure plan to reduce disruption

National Highways will work on seven bridges instead of eight to reduce disruption to drivers using the M6

A bridge over the M6 will remain open during lengthy roadworks, as a result of concerns from the community.

National Highways had planned to repair the seven bridges which carry the M6 between junctions 37 and 38 in Cumbria, as well as Lawtland House Bridge, which carries the A685 over the motorway.

Residents and businesses complained that lengthy diversions would result in costly and time-consuming delays.

The public body has announced it will keep Lawtland House Bridge fully open in response to the concerns, and postpone its maintenance after the four-year M6 Lune Gorge project ends.

Adam Williams, programme manager, said issues with Lawtland House Bridge were "not as critical" as the other seven bridges, meaning work could wait.

"We have also listened to the concerns of the local community regarding this bridge as a crucial link road in the region, which was also a factor in our decision to prioritise the bridges that carry the M6 itself," he added.

The Lune Gorge section of the M6 opened 50 years ago and increased traffic had "taken its toll" on the bridges there, National Highways said.

It added the work would "future-proof" the key link, which is Cumbria's only motorway.

Preparation work has already started along the six-mile (9.6km) stretch of road, with the main work due to begin in spring 2027 on the southbound carriage, followed by the northbound one, which is expected to be completed in 2031.