WHITEHAVEN politicians have called for action after work on Bransty Tunnel has seen a further delay.
The tunnel forms part of the railway route between Carlisle and Barrow, critical to non-driving commuters travelling to work on Sellafield site, at the BAE shipyard in Barrow and a number of other significant employers along the Cumbrian coast.
Rail infrastructure bosses at Network Rail told passengers the line would reopen between Whitehaven and Corkikle by Easter, after initially closing in the summer.
But with Easter now passed, Network Rail is unable to provide a reopening date for Bransty Tunnel and the section of railway it passes through.
The Government-funded organisation was forced to close the tunnel after identifying areas under the railway which it said needed strengthening.
And while a programme of engineering work has been put in place, Network Rail has not yet received environmental permits from the Mining Remediation Authority and the Environment Agency.
Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has said he is working at pace with ministers to secure funding for the proposed works but shares "the frustration at the lack of visible progress in tackling the orange water in the harbour, or reopening the Bransty tunnel."
Mr MacAlister is also the Minister for Children and Families.
He noted that Network Rail concluded its planning for the necessary work in Bransty Tunnel earlier this year and ministers are working to secure the funding for it.
Meanwhile, Mr MacAlister is holding regular meetings with the leadership of Network Rail and the Environment Agency to 'bang heads together' and 'drive that permitting process forward as quickly as possible'.
"We are making progress" he said.
Mr MacAlister said he also took part in conversations with stakeholders in Autumn to determine a solution to Whitehaven Harbour's discoloured water, due to historic mine infrastructure under Bransty.
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He said that he is "confident" of securing the £4million needed for the identified solution - diverting the orange water from the harbour to the north shore through a new pipe.
Cumberland Council member for Bransty, Joseph Ghayouba said: "The year-long closure of Bransty Tunnel is the consequence of years of chronic underinvestment, not a sudden failure.
"Residents and key employers are being left without a reliable service. We need urgent action and a clear timeline to reopen the line."
Network Rail has said it will update residents "with specific dates" when possible.
Have you been affected by the closure of Bransty Tunnel? Let us know in the comments section.
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