Closure of Bransty Tunnel (near Whitehaven) expected until further notice

[consettman]

Dropping down from the 156 onto Whitehaven's P1 the other week - am I the only one who's had a little vision of Spencer Tracy climbing down from the streamliner in Bad Day at Black Rock?

 

[Gloster]

Dropping down from the 156 onto Whitehaven's P1 the other week - am I the only one who's had a little vision of Spencer Tracy climbing down from the streamliner in Bad Day at Black Rock?

Is that the film set on 13 August 1976? (I wonder how many on the forum have seen the film or even heard of Spencer Tracy.)

 

[IrishDave]

Any update on how the works are going?

I note from RTT that, for the May 2026 timetable, the present service with buses Corcickle-Whitehaven is shown until 9th August, and the normal service with through trains is shown from 10th August onwards - compare the following two links.

Realtime Trains | Departures from Whitehaven between 0200 and 0159 on 09/08/2026

Train information at Whitehaven between 0200 and 0159 on 09/08/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | Departures from Whitehaven between 0200 and 0159 on 10/08/2026

Train information at Whitehaven between 0200 and 0159 on 10/08/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

That would imply reopening is expected in August, rather than sooner?

 

[37069]

I've heard a rumour that reopening is now likely to be mid-2027, and that the contractors are being changed too.

Local MP reports that an announcement is due shortly.

 

[QueensCurve]

Do we have any more information on what the problem is and what is the chosen solution for implementation. I am considering an FOI.

 

[Straus]

I'm still suspecting this may remain closed for the long term.

 

[The Planner]

I'm still suspecting this may remain closed for the long term.

It won't close permanently, but its not re-opening soon.

 

[Straus]

Do we have any more information on what the problem is and what is the chosen solution for implementation. I am considering an FOI.

Historic mine workings around the tunnel - appears something changed about 5 years ago causing flooding in the tunnel and the discoloured harbour water.

There are likely few options here - voids associated with mining will need suitably filling to a certain distance from the tunnel and the water will need to be very carefully considered as removing the route through the tunnel may mean it appears elsewhere.

Lots of old mines are not mapped, I imagine these aren't given the uncertainty - so the designers likely don't fully know what they're dealing with and any intervention might be a see how it goes approach with on site redesign teams. This likely means the cost is an unknown which will make approval of any intervention quite difficult.

Add into that the difficult working space, potential for gas to build up, potential for works to cause rapid uncontrolled flooding of the tunnel etc etc etc increases the risk somewhat.

Through the rumour mill, I've heard estimates of £30-50M. It wouldn't surprise me if this exceeded those figures significantly - if we ignore social value then it really doesn't look like good value for money on a line that already loses money.

I think we also need to consider long term longevity, sections of the Cumbrian coast line are highlighted red in the projected 2050 flooding maps, it's fairly likely that the line will see partial closure in the next 30 years - a small amount of sea level rise will make the section between sellafield and nethertown unmaintainable without significant works (talking 100s millions) - someone's got to stick their neck out and some point and admit this line is unfortunately becoming unfeasible. My interpretation of the delays is that NR are trying to force government to make this decision.

 

[Starmill]

Any update on how the works are going?

I'm fairly sure nothing has changed yet? The actual works have yet to start.

 

[The Planner]

My interpretation of the delays is that NR are trying to force government to make this decision.

It isn't going to close.

 

[Starmill]

That would imply reopening is expected in August, rather than sooner?

Unfortunately, that doesn't imply it could open in August, only that it won't open before then. Until recently I would have said there were a chance it may open at the December timetable change. Probably not now.

 

[IrishDave]

Unfortunately, that doesn't imply it could open in August, only that it won't open before then. Until recently I would have said there were a chance it may open at the December timetable change. Probably not now.

Oh yes, I quite agree. But given the last estimate I heard announced publicly was "spring", the fact the timetable won't change until at least August is itself a shift in messaging.

 

[JModulo]

I'm fairly sure nothing has changed yet? The actual works have yet to start.

Indeed. No work has been carried out, all the tunnel lighting removed too.

 

[thenorthern]

I did read somewhere on Facebook that the coach drivers have told passengers that the coach companies have been told to be ready until the summer with providing coaches between Corkickle and Whitehaven. I know this is probably 4th hand information but it would seem like that might be the case.

 

[Minnietheminx]

I did read somewhere on Facebook that the coach drivers have told passengers that the coach companies have been told to be ready until the summer with providing coaches between Corkickle and Whitehaven. I know this is probably 4th hand information but it would seem like that might be the case.

Wouldn't it be a good idea for Northern to publish a walking route between the two stations for those who don't want to wait up to two hours for a bus? Given the number of large backpacks going into the luggage space over the summer last year, there are plenty of would-be coast-to-coast walkers heading towards St Bees from Carlisle rather than Lancaster and Barrow

 

[Bletchleyite]

Wouldn't it be a good idea for Northern to publish a walking route between the two stations for those who don't want to wait up to two hours for a bus?

Are the buses not planned to, er, connect with the trains?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2026 ==

Through the rumour mill, I've heard estimates of £30-50M. It wouldn't surprise me if this exceeded those figures significantly - if we ignore social value then it really doesn't look like good value for money on a line that already loses money.

I think we also need to consider long term longevity, sections of the Cumbrian coast line are highlighted red in the projected 2050 flooding maps, it's fairly likely that the line will see partial closure in the next 30 years - a small amount of sea level rise will make the section between sellafield and nethertown unmaintainable without significant works (talking 100s millions) - someone's got to stick their neck out and some point and admit this line is unfortunately becoming unfeasible. My interpretation of the delays is that NR are trying to force government to make this decision.

Question really is can nothing at all be done, or might that result in chunks of Whitehaven collapsing into the tunnel? Thus even if the line did close work might be needed anyway?

 

[Bevan Price]

Historic mine workings around the tunnel - appears something changed about 5 years ago causing flooding in the tunnel and the discoloured harbour water.

There are likely few options here - voids associated with mining will need suitably filling to a certain distance from the tunnel and the water will need to be very carefully considered as removing the route through the tunnel may mean it appears elsewhere.

Lots of old mines are not mapped, I imagine these aren't given the uncertainty - so the designers likely don't fully know what they're dealing with and any intervention might be a see how it goes approach with on site redesign teams. This likely means the cost is an unknown which will make approval of any intervention quite difficult.

Add into that the difficult working space, potential for gas to build up, potential for works to cause rapid uncontrolled flooding of the tunnel etc etc etc increases the risk somewhat.

Through the rumour mill, I've heard estimates of £30-50M. It wouldn't surprise me if this exceeded those figures significantly - if we ignore social value then it really doesn't look like good value for money on a line that already loses money.

I think we also need to consider long term longevity, sections of the Cumbrian coast line are highlighted red in the projected 2050 flooding maps, it's fairly likely that the line will see partial closure in the next 30 years - a small amount of sea level rise will make the section between sellafield and nethertown unmaintainable without significant works (talking 100s millions) - someone's got to stick their neck out and some point and admit this line is unfortunately becoming unfeasible. My interpretation of the delays is that NR are trying to force government to make this decision.

How much remains of the old trackbed between Sellafield & Whitehaven via Moor Row ??

 

[ChilliSauce]

Unfortunately, that doesn't imply it could open in August, only that it won't open before then. Until recently I would have said there were a chance it may open at the December timetable change. Probably not now.

I believe there are actually two issues to address.

1. Either stop the water leaking into the tunnel and/or improve the drainage in the tunnel itself to take away any water that does get into the tunnel.

2. Deal with the iron ochre issue.

The first issue: Would appear to fall onto Network Rail as the infrastructure owner / maintainer

The second issue: The funding for the provision of and ongoing running costs of a filter plant to remove the iron ochre from the water could very well become the responsibility of the Mining Remediation Authority.

What is quite disappointing is during the tunnel closure no attempt appears to have been made by Northern to maintain the same level of train service up to the points of bus substitution.

 

[StoneRoad]

Wouldn't it be a good idea for Northern to publish a walking route between the two stations for those who don't want to wait up to two hours for a bus? Given the number of large backpacks going into the luggage space over the summer last year, there are plenty of would-be coast-to-coast walkers heading towards St Bees from Carlisle rather than Lancaster and Barrow

21 or 22 minutes, approx one mile [note to Corkickle is uphill] according to g00gle maps.

Personally, I'ld follow the light blue route - better pavements.

The bus stops are outside The Bransty Arch, as getting buses / coaches into & turned in the station forecourt is not really possible if anything else is in there.

 

[AndrewE]

I believe there are actually two issues to address.

1. Either stop the water leaking into the tunnel and/or improve the drainage in the tunnel itself to take away any water that does get into the tunnel.

2. Deal with the iron ochre issue.

both are almost irrelevant or a long way down the line, as the real problem is old un-mapped coal workings close under the tunnel floor. The discovery of these put a hasty stop to the exploratory work to investigate ways to deal with the water/mine drainage.

 

[Ian Hardy]

21 or 22 minutes, approx one mile [note to Corkickle is uphill] according to g00gle maps.

Personally, I'ld follow the light blue route - better pavements.

The bus stops are outside The Bransty Arch, as getting buses / coaches into & turned in the station forecourt is not really possible if anything else is in there.

View attachment 198222

The colour of the water in Whitehaven Marina suggests a widespread problem with the iron ochre.

 

[JModulo]

21 or 22 minutes, approx one mile [note to Corkickle is uphill] according to g00gle maps.

Personally, I'ld follow the light blue route - better pavements.

The bus stops are outside The Bransty Arch, as getting buses / coaches into & turned in the station forecourt is not really possible if anything else is in there.

View attachment 198222

Every bus leaves from the station car park.

 

[507 001]

The bus stops are outside The Bransty Arch, as getting buses / coaches into & turned in the station forecourt is not really possible if anything else is in there.

When I was there in October the bus was departing from the station forecourt.

 

[themiller]

How much remains of the old trackbed between Sellafield & Whitehaven via Moor Row ??

Much of the tracked is still there with breaches at the Egremont bypass, a bridge is missing over the road to Cleator after Egremont cemetery, Woodside station is in private hands and just across the road from this is an industrial business. Heading further along the tracked, another bridge has been replaced by a lightweight one. It’s been a while but I used to ride horses along much of the route.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Dropping down from the 156 onto Whitehaven's P1 the other week - am I the only one who's had a little vision of Spencer Tracy climbing down from the streamliner in Bad Day at Black Rock?

I'm a fan of old movies and I re-watched the Blu-ray of that film a few weeks ago. I suspect a few older people here know who Spencer Tracy was!

 

[The exile]

Add into that the difficult working space, potential for gas to build up, potential for works to cause rapid uncontrolled flooding of the tunnel etc etc etc increases the risk s
Through the rumour mill, I've heard estimates of £30-50M. It wouldn't surprise me if this exceeded those figures significantly - if we ignore social value then it really doesn't look like good value for money on a line that already loses money.

Thing is that a lot of that money would probably have to be spent anyway, whether a live railway goes back through the tunnel or not.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thing is that a lot of that money would probably have to be spent anyway, whether a live railway goes back through the tunnel or not.

That was my question above too - is the situation that most of the money needs spending regardless to prevent a chunk of Whitehaven falling into the tunnel in 20 years' time?

 

[Killingworth]

Thing is that a lot of that money would probably have to be spent anyway, whether a live railway goes back through the tunnel or not.

In 5 years time we must hope this difficulty is all but forgotten history. If it's not I imagine some will be saying it might have been better to build a totally new tunnel and/or alignments from the outset.

Quicker and cheaper for a long term better solution? But we're in make do and mend mode. Improvements are a different matter and Whitehaven in West Cumbria is very much out of sight from the corridors of power. Very low priority and without the visual appeal of the sea wall at Dawlish.

 

[RGM654]

How much remains of the old trackbed between Sellafield & Whitehaven via Moor Row ??

Maps show that line joining the still extant line just south of the tunnel, so it wouldn't help anyway.

 

[bleeder4]

In 5 years time we must hope this difficulty is all but forgotten history. If it's not I imagine some will be saying it might have been better to build a totally new tunnel and/or alignments from the outset.

Quicker and cheaper for a long term better solution? But we're in make do and mend mode. Improvements are a different matter and Whitehaven in West Cumbria is very much out of sight from the corridors of power. Very low priority and without the visual appeal of the sea wall at Dawlish.

The Dawlish sea wall comparison is ironic really, given that the Cumbrian Coast line is the longest coastal railway line in England, whereas Dawlish is just a few miles of coast.