Bransty tunnel: Network Rail finally starts setting up at Whitehaven station on Monday Work compound goes up at Whitehaven station from Monday as Bransty tunnel plan moves forward
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
From Monday there'll be a works compound at Whitehaven station. It's prep for the £60m job to get trains back through Bransty tunnel and stop the orange water in the harbour, but there are still approvals to get.
If you get the train through Whitehaven, whether it's to Sellafield, Carlisle or down towards Barrow, or you're just sick of the orange water in the harbour, here's a bit of progress at last.
From Monday 16 November, Network Rail is setting up a temporary works compound at Whitehaven station. It's the first proper sign of action on the ground since the £60 million plan for Bransty tunnel was announced back in September.
Harry Milner from Network Rail said: "We know the local community is keen to see progress towards reopening the railway, and the construction of our temporary compound at Whitehaven station from Monday, November 16 is an important step forward."
He was straight about it though: "This remains preparation work, with further technical and environmental approvals required." The money breaks down as £57 million for the engineering fix and another £3 million for a water treatment system.
Quick reminder of how we got here. The 1km tunnel between Whitehaven and Corkickle shut in summer 2025 when surveys found old mine workings under the track, and the floor needed serious strengthening. It's been buses on that bit ever since. The plan is to fill the old workings, lay new track and drainage, and build a small treatment plant by the line so the iron-rich water stops draining into Queen's Dock. When it was announced, the MP's office said the job would take nine to 15 months once it gets going and should keep the tunnel open for about 60 years. There's still no start date for the main work.
What to do: expect vans and fencing round the station from Monday. Check Northern's journey planner before you set off, because the replacement buses are still running south of the tunnel. Network Rail's Bransty tunnel page has the updates.
Network Rail will start building a temporary compound at Whitehaven station on Monday 16 November, the first on-site step towards its £60 million plan to reopen Bransty tunnel and treat the orange water reaching the harbour.
This is for everyone who uses the Cumbrian Coast line through Whitehaven, especially people commuting to Sellafield and travelling between Carlisle and Barrow, and for anyone who has watched Queen's Dock turn orange.
Network Rail says it will begin building a temporary compound at Whitehaven station from Monday 16 November. It is the first on-site step since the £60 million plan to reopen Bransty tunnel was announced in September.
Harry Milner, principal portfolio manager at Network Rail, said: "We know the local community is keen to see progress towards reopening the railway, and the construction of our temporary compound at Whitehaven station from Monday, November 16 is an important step forward."
He said it was one of several "critical mobilisation activities" to get ready for a proposed £57 million engineering solution, with plans for a further £3 million water treatment system. He added: "This remains preparation work, with further technical and environmental approvals required."
The 1km tunnel between Whitehaven and Corkickle has been shut since the summer of 2025, after surveys found old mine workings under the track and the tunnel floor needed major strengthening. Rail replacement buses have run on that stretch since. Under the plan, the old workings would be filled, new track and drainage laid, and a small treatment plant built beside the railway, so that iron-rich mine water no longer drains into Queen's Dock. When the scheme was announced, the MP's office said the work would take nine to 15 months once it starts and should keep the tunnel open for around 60 years. No start date for the main works has been given yet.
What you can do: expect some activity and vehicles around Whitehaven station from Monday. Keep checking Northern's journey planner before you travel, as replacement buses still run between Whitehaven and the stations south of the tunnel. Network Rail's Bransty tunnel project page has updates.