Network Rail is to invest £4.5 million to safeguard the Cumbrian coast line against climate change by upgrading Eskmeals viaduct.

The multi million pound project will see hardwood timber beams replaced with material which will double the life expectancy from 25 to 50 years, improving the structure of the track and making it more robust. At the end of their lifetime, they can be recycled or reused.

They will improve disruption to passengers due to reduced maintenance needs in the long run. Climate change means that more intense storms, greater rain fall, and rising sea levels will put the viaduct under more pressure, so the work we're doing will stand it in good stead.


190 new fabricated beams, which are made out synthetic wood, will be brought in by rail to limit disruption and the current 160 timbers in place will be recycled.

The work means the viaduct will be closed to trains for sixteen days between Friday 6 and Monday 23 September.

There will also be a three day closure at Barrow over overlapping the start of the work from Saturday 7 to Tuesday 10 September.

To keep passengers on the move road transport will serve all intermediate stations between Millom and Sellafield/Whitehaven.

There will be an amended timetable between Barrow and Millom to reflect timings of the rail replacement service.

Jonny Rayson, Network Rail’s works delivery manager, said: "This £4.5 million project to replace the timbers of Eskmeals viaduct will make journeys more reliable for years to come. Using synthetic materials instead of wood means there is an increased life expectancy, reduced maintenance costs for Network Rail and reduced disruption for passengers and freight operators."