First service travels over new railway bridge
Network RailThe first train has crossed a new railway bridge which was installed after months of work.
The new Clifton Bridge, which spans the M6 near Penrith, Cumbria, and weighs about 3,000 tonnes, was moved into place at the weekend.
Network Rail said the first train across was a northbound service coming out of Manchester and travelled over the bridge between 06:15 and 06:30 GMT.
It ends weeks of disruption on the West Coast Main Line which is one of the UK's busiest rail routes.
The 130m-long (426ft) steel bridge replaced the old concrete one which was almost 60 years old.
Network Rail previously said the bridge would improve the "safety and reliability" of the line for passengers and reduce train delays.
Replacement buses and diversions using historic routes had been in place during the works.
Workers laid new track, installed the overhead line and readied the signalling following work at the weekend to move the bridge structure into place.
A temporary speed limit and lane closure on the M6 below it would remain in place until July, Network Rail said.
