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

[Acathater]

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.

A new tunnel will still be crossing the same underground voids and may well have the same problems

 

[StoneRoad]

A new tunnel will still be crossing the same underground voids and may well have the same problems

but could be designed to cope with them.

Probably mentioned this before, but the void for the Gateshead Metro station intersected with previously unknown old mine workings, so there was a bit of extra work to do around that.

 

[zwk500]

Very low priority and without the visual appeal of the sea wall at Dawlish.

There's other reasons why the South Devon route gets a lot of attention. Now if there was a major Naval base at Whitehaven, or if Workington had an extra 280,000 residents...

 

[35B]

but could be designed to cope with them.

Probably mentioned this before, but the void for the Gateshead Metro station intersected with previously unknown old mine workings, so there was a bit of extra work to do around that.

And what you say about Gateshead is precisely where the "could be designed" argument gets weak. It seems as though a large part of the issue here is that the information on mine workings simply isn't there - not to mention that the changes underground that have led to the discoloration of the harbour highlight changes underground.

 

[37069]

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

It's the Cleator & Workington Junction Railway route that loops around Whitehaven, plus the WCER branch from Distington to Parton.

It's just been built on to the north of Cleator Moor, and between Keekle and Moresby was obliterated by opencast mining. The largest structure, Keekle Viaduct, is still standing but would need serious money spending on it.

A non-starter.

 

[Pinus contorta]

A 2027 date for a reopened railway might suggest that Network Rail are currently trying to work out who is paying and for what. I meant surely they aren't going to be responsible for every mine working under Whitehaven?

 

[themiller]

The Mining Remediation Authority should be liable for sorting out the subsidence in the tunnel:

Coal mining subsidence damage notice form

Application form to claim for subsidence damage caused by coal mining.

www.gov.uk

 

[Straus]

The Mining Remediation Authority should be liable for sorting out the subsidence in the tunnel:

Coal mining subsidence damage notice form

Application form to claim for subsidence damage caused by coal mining.

www.gov.uk

They'll likely contribute something, but nowhere near what the mine treatment will cost.

 

[Starmill]

They'll likely contribute something, but nowhere near what the mine treatment will cost.

Indeed, and they definitely won't be responsible for the cost of repairing / replacing the weight spreading structure the track relies on, nor the tunnel drainage.

 

[ScottGallagher]

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?

Any risk of that closer to the time would surely make people leave the affected area anyway as the homes will be worthless and uninsurable.

 

[Straus]

It's probably wise to remember the dynamic load of a 1000 ton train is a different risk to housing.

 

[thenorthern]

I suppose given that the Cumbria Coast Line particularly south of Whitehaven, is not seen as a "major" line it's not a priority for Network Rail to repair. Let's not forget back in 2015-17 when the Settle and Carlisle line was closed for over a year. Had it been the West Coast Main Line it would have been fixed much quicker.

 

[M60lad]

Is there a reason why this doesn't get a mention on National Rail's Disruption page anymore? Also I'm quite surprised that Northern are still saying on their JourneyCheck page that it's still closed until 31/3/2026 when obviously its now known and has been known for a while that there isn't a specific date when the line will reopen again.

 

[QueensCurve]

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.

The Whitehaven pits were known for a significant level of methane. Action had to be taken about 30 years ago because explosive levels of the gas were found in some houses in Woodhouse. A new vent had to be placed in the old mine workings.

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

I think it is mostly intact but several bridges would have to be reinstated. It always struck me as an egregious error to close that route, which served siignificant populations and to leave open the route along the coast.

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.

We had our Dawlish moment about 1970 when the railway north of Parton was breached in a storm. It was hastilly reinstated as a single line and has remained so ever since.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2026 ==

I suppose given that the Cumbria Coast Line particularly south of Whitehaven, is not seen as a "major" line it's not a priority for Network Rail to repair. Let's not forget back in 2015-17 when the Settle and Carlisle line was closed for over a year. Had it been the West Coast Main Line it would have been fixed much quicker.

I have often thougtht that, had the runaway freightliner approaching Carlisle derailed at Upperby Junction, the line would have been reinstated in a matter of days and the Carlisle avoiding line would never have closed. But we are where we are.

 

[ScottGallagher]

Do these particular mines predate the railway being built?

 

[QueensCurve]

Do these particular mines predate the railway being built?

The Mining Remediation Authority should be liable for sorting out the subsidence in the tunnel:

Coal mining subsidence damage notice form

Application form to claim for subsidence damage caused by coal mining.

www.gov.uk

My FOI to the Mining Remediation Authority didn't give me any useful information.

 

[Acathater]

Do these particular mines predate the railway being built?

You've got coal and iron ore mines there, much of it undocumented but some of it will be pre-railway. With the lack of records and the later reworking of historic pits it will be difficult to date many.

On top of that, how close were the Marchon phosphate / anhydrite works? That also would have left massive voids

 

[themiller]

Do these particular mines predate the railway being built?

Since the oldest mines in the area will have been bell pits and unrecorded, it would take extensive geological surveys from within the tunnel to determine the nature of the particular one(s) which have affected the tunnel.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Looking at the 1867 6" OS Map 'James's Pit (Coal)' is very close to the tunnel

NLS Whitehaven

By the 1900 edition this is shown as closed.

Interestingly, there was a sort of a way around the tunnel by the Harbour Commissioners Rly. (with street running) and Preston Street Goods station.

 

[yoyothehobo]

Coal mining in whitehaven significantly predates the railway and with significant mine workings, not just bell pits. Dating from at least the 17th century.

Coal | Industrial History of Cumbria

Link to website with information on voal mining in whitehaven

 

[Straus]

Coal mining in whitehaven significantly predates the railway and with significant mine workings, not just bell pits. Dating from at least the 17th century.

Coal | Industrial History of Cumbria

Link to website with information on voal mining in whitehaven

I think voles are protected these days

 

[37069]

No date for reopening as Bransty Tunnel work continues​

https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/25863212.no-date-reopening-bransty-tunnel-work-continues/

 

[Killingworth]

The Mining Remediation Authority Map Viewer is interesting nevertheless: https://datamine-cauk.hub.arcgis.com/

 

[ScottGallagher]

Sorry to bump this but was wondering if any work had resumed on this yet or any word of progress?

 

[StoneRoad]

I was wondering that, as well.

It's gone too quiet !

{Apart from 'arguments' about the proposed drainage pipe}

 

[37069]

Northern says disruption expected until December 2026.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I can't remember which magazine I read it in, but I recall reading Network Rail do have a design for a permanent fix now but it hasn't been started yet.

 

[Straus]

No physical work yet.

My honest impression is that it's not being seen as a priority at all. There's been so much change in management that it's probably slipped out of people's minds a bit at the higher levels of management.

 

[Bletchleyite]

My honest impression is that it's not being seen as a priority at all.

It probably isn't. It'll be hugely expensive and for very small benefit. I suspect it'll make the formerly bi-annual rebuild of the Conwy Valley (not been necessary since those rocks were dumped there to protect it) look cheap.

 

[Pinus contorta]

Ask the Environment Agency.