A major refurbishment has been announced for the M6 Lune Gorge bridges.

National Highways has unveiled plans to replace eight bridge deck structures along the six-mile stretch between junction 37 and junction 38 at Tebay.

Seven of the bridges carry the M6, while an eighth supports the A685 road over the motorway near Roundthwaite.

Map of the the eight bridge structures set for replacement (Image: Supplied) They range from 46 to 142 metres in length and 5 to 17 metres in height.

Khalid El-Rayes, National Highways' senior project manager, said: "The bridges that carry the M6 and A685 over the Lune Gorge in Cumbria are rapidly reaching the end of their serviceable life.

"That huge volume of traffic has taken its toll, but this project will ensure this section of the M6 plays a key role in connecting businesses and communities across the north and beyond for decades to come."

Preparation work is set to begin in 2025, with the main construction slated for 2027.

A series of 'meet the team' events are planned for next year, which aim to keep residents informed.

The project aims to improve safety for vehicles, and reduce the cost and disruption of unplanned maintenance and emergency repair work.

Kier, the appointed lead contractor, have started ground investigations and other surveys to help prepare for the work and design a project programme.

Mr El-Rayes said: "Our delivery partners including Kier, RPS, Aecom, and Tony Gee, bring decades of experience in engineering and design, ensuring that we can deliver this project efficiently and safely.

"We’ve been working with them to develop design solutions to reduce the length of roadworks and number of closures.

"By using specialist equipment we’ll be able to replace the bridge decks safely and more quickly than traditional construction methods.

"This will mean less disruption for motorists and surrounding communities."

Traffic management is expected to involve the use of a contraflow system on one carriageway using the hard shoulder.

The opposite carriageway will then be freed up for simultaneous work on all structures, potentially reducing the project's overall timescale.

A Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership study has already indicated that a contraflow system would have a negligible impact on congestion, the logistics sector, and tourism trade.

The plan includes 'social value projects,' set to run until the refurbishment is expected to conclude in winter 2030/2031.

These initiatives have included a £10,000 donation to Bendrigg Trust in Kendal, to improve outdoor space for disabled service users, and another £10,000 donation for a 'Sharing Shed' building at Shap Primary School.

Specific questions about the M6 Lune Gorge project can be directed to the team at M6lunegorge@nationalhighways.co.uk.