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Monday 11 Aug 2025

Whitehaven tunnel to remain closed but trains now running north

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Cumbrian Coast Line passengers will see trains reinstated north of Whitehaven after the recent closure of a railway tunnel on the route.

Bransty tunnel between Whitehaven and Corkickle has been shut since Friday 25 July when Network Rail engineers started scheduled survey work inside the structure.

That was taking place in preparation for upcoming major track and draining upgrades through the 1km tunnel.

However, the surveys identified a section of the tunnel floor required extra strengthening to allow for the heavy machinery needed for the upcoming improvements, and the tunnel remains closed.

It’s meant that rail passengers have been using replacement buses between Workington and Sellafield.

But from today (Monday 11 August) trains are now serving the northern part of the line to and from Whitehaven.

Passengers travelling south from Whitehaven will still need to use rail replacement buses.

Buses will continue to replace trains between Sellafield and Whitehaven, with the exception of Nethertown and Braystones stations, where buses cannot fit.

Customers travelling from these stations should speak to Northern's customer services or colleagues at staffed stations to arrange taxis to these stations. 

Brian Paynter, Network Rail Capital Delivery track director, said: “I’m sorry to passengers who’ve been disrupted by the closure of Whitehaven tunnel and I’d like to thank everyone for their continued patience.

“We’re working on plans to make the repairs inside the tunnel so our track upgrades can then take place but while this is ongoing the tunnel will stay closed. In the meantime rail replacement buses will keep people moving on the southern section of the Cumbrian Coast Line so please allow extra time for your journey and check National Rail Enquiries before you travel.”

A spokesperson for Northern said: "We are sorry for the ongoing disruption for customers travelling on the Cumbrian Coast.

"We understand how frustrating this disruption is, and we are working hard to keep customers moving whilst work takes place inside the tunnel. Trains are now running to Whitehaven on the northern side of the tunnel, and we are looking at the options available to be able to run trains to Corkickle on the other side. 

 "We'd like to remind customers to plan ahead and check before you travel, as journeys may take longer whilst the tunnel is closed. Details of train services and rail replacement buses can be found on the Northern website - northernrailway.co.uk."

Design teams are working hard to come up with a solution to strengthen the tunnel floor so the planned track and drainage renewals can take place.

This additional design work has delayed the August and September work, with the tunnel expected to be closed for several months.