Clifton Bridge, which carries the West Coast Main Line railway over the M6 motorway near Penrith in Cumbria, is coming down as part of a 拢60m renewal programme.
Network Rail has released timelapse video footage showing the demolition of the 130-metre-long bridge.
Network Rail and its principal contractor Skanska completed the first phase removing Clifton Bridge in the early hours of this morning, Monday 5th January 2026.
It required a full motorway closure of the M6 between junctions 39 and 40 from 8pm on Friday 2nd until 3.50am today 鈥� reopening 70 minutes earlier than scheduled.
A fleet of some of the country鈥檚 largest excavators were used to chip away at the 1960s concrete structure, which had spanned the six-lanes motorway for nearly 60 years.
Next weekend will see a replacement 4,200-tonne steel and concrete structure moved into place during a further 57-hour motorway closure (8.00pm Friday 9th until 5.00am Monday 12th January).
Rosario Barcena, Skanska UK rail programme director, said: "It's been an incredible effort by the entire team to complete the demolition of the former Clifton Bridge, working 24/7 across the weekend to make sure that the M6 motorway could re-open on Monday morning.
"Technically it was a complex operation which we managed with great precision and care. The works were completed safely, with the support structures that the new 4,200 tonne bridge will sit on successfully retained.
"It's been a super-collaborative approach with Network Rail, National Highways and our supply chain team. I'd also like to extend my thanks to people travelling in the region and the local community for their understanding while we undertake these essential works."
Network Rail North West and Central region capital delivery director Christian Irwin said: 鈥淭his 拢60m project forms part of our major investment programme to improve journeys on the West Coast Main Line for passengers and freight for generations to come.鈥�
This project is just one of a swathe of upgrades between London and Cumbria over the festive season, with nearly 拢200m of work being carried out along the West Coast Main Line.
Also today, a major railway junction between Northampton and Milton Keynes reopened after a 拢26m track renewal which began on Christmas Eve.
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