Buses replace trains between Corkickle and Whitehaven until further notice 

Route(s) affected

Between Lancaster / Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle

Description

During pre-planned engineering work at Bransty Tunnel, between Corkickle and Whitehaven, inspections revealed unstable ground conditions which require urgent repair. As a result, the line through the tunnel is closed.

Buses are replacing trains between Corkickle and Whitehaven.

Disruption is expected until further notice.

A visual disruption map video is available.

Customer advice:

Service impact

Train services are running between Lancaster / Barrow-in-Furness and Corkickle, and also between Whitehaven and Carlisle. Buses will replace trains between Corkickle and Whitehaven.

Ticket acceptance

You can use your ticket on Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express services between Lancaster and Carlisle at no extra cost.

Northern ticket restrictions have been lifted during this disruption so that you may travel via any reasonable route.

Additionally, if the train you have a ticket for is cancelled, you can travel on any Northern or TransPennine Express service within two hours before or after your cancelled service was due to depart. This is at no extra cost, and does not require you to amend your ticket.

Additional information:

At the end of July, Network Rail carried out assessments and surveys inside Bransty Tunnel ahead of planned full track and drainage renewal that was scheduled to take place during August and September.

This involved doing surveys to assess any weight limits for the heavy machinery needed for the planned renewals. These surveys uncovered some areas under the railway which need strengthening before any work can progress.

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

The exact time frame for how long these repairs and subsequent track improvements will take is still being worked on.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey up to and including Friday 26 September using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner. For journeys on Saturday 27 September and beyond, please check back later.

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and set-down location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.