Overview
- The motorway is closed in both directions between junctions 39 and 40 from 8pm Friday, January 2, to 5am Monday, January 5, with a second closure set for 8pm Friday, January 9, to 5am Monday, January 12.
- National Highways warns of significant delays and urges drivers to avoid the stretch where possible and plan extra time if travel cannot be deferred.
- Diversions include northbound traffic leaving at J39 for the A6 to rejoin at J40, southbound HGVs routing from J40 via the A66 to the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, and other southbound drivers using the A66 to Brough then the A685 to rejoin at J38.
- Network Rail is installing a new bridge at Clifton to replace the nearly 60‑year‑old structure that restricts trains to one at a time on the West Coast Main Line.
- Engineers will also renew more than 80 km of overhead lines and continue signalling modernisation, with passengers advised to check National Rail Enquiries before traveling.