RACEGOERS travelling to Cartmel from the south by rail over the Bank Holiday will have to change their usual travel plans.

The line from Lancaster to Grange-over-Sands and Cark in Cartmel is currently closed at Arnside while repair work takes place on the viaduct over the Kent Estuary.

Anyone using the West Coast main line to travel to Cartmel should not disembark at Lancaster, but go on to Oxenholme station where Northern Rail has laid on a free bus service to complete the transfer.

Work on the viaduct is expected to be completed in July.

Cartmel’s 2011 season opens with an evening meeting on Saturday (first race 6.10pm) though the racecourse will be open much earlier with the Bay Roadshow on stage from 2.30pm.

The Roadshow includes three top class acts headed by Navi, the world’s number one Michael Jackson tribute act, supported by The Kittycat Dolls and The Coverboys.

During racing, which gets underway with the Sticky Toffee Pudding Novices Hurdle at 6.05pm, there will be big screen coverage of Saturday’s Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona available.

Racing at Cartmel continues over the Bank Holiday with meetings on Monday, May 30 (first race 2.10pm) and Wednesday, June 1 (first race 2.20pm).