ICE Cumbria Annual Supper 2026

Overview

Our annual Cumbria supper is one of the highlights on our social calendar. Join us for a three-course meal and a presentation on the Clifton Rail Replacement Bridge project.

The Supper
The menu for the evening is as follows:

Starter: Homemade soup of the day (vegan, GF, vegetarian), artisan bread

Main: Roast beef (GFO), Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables
(vegetarian option: wild mushroom & spinach wellington (vegan, vegetarian), carrot and swede mash, truffle cream sauce)

Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding (GF, vegetarian), vanilla ice cream, butterscotch sauce

Dietary requirements are catered for those who advise us prior to attending.

The presentation
This year, the 60-year-old Clifton Bridge near Penrith, Cumbria has successfully been replaced, removing severe speed and weight restrictions on the West Coast Main Line. The replacement was essential to prevent future structural failure, reduce ongoing maintenance costs and restore the line’s full operational capability, allowing two trains to pass simultaneously. 

The £60m project commenced in early 2024, with the multidisciplinary delivery team successfully installing the new bridge in January 2026. As one of the North West’s most significant recent rail infrastructure projects, it has attracted considerable regional and industry interest. This presentation, jointly delivered by the client (Network Rail), the principal contractor (Skanska) and the lead designer (Mott MacDonald), will provide an insight into the planning, engineering challenges and delivery of this high-profile project, making it an ideal topic for this year’s Annual Supper.
 

Programme