Farron - Transport Secretary’s comments show contempt for Cumbria and the North

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has hit out at the government for ignoring Cumbria and the rest of the north of England after the Transport Secretary stated that it was up to the north to sort out their own train issues.

Writing for the Yorkshire Post, Chris Grayling declared that the success of Northern transport "depends on the North itself".

Last month the government announced it was ditching plans to electrify the Lakes Line as well as two other train lines across the north.

This decision came just days before the government reaffirmed its commitment to Crossrail 2 in London which it is estimated to cost around £30bn.

Tim said: "The Transport Secretary's comments are typical of a Government who couldn't care less about the North.

"The decision to pull the plug on vital rail infrastructure in the north such as the Lakes Line and at the same time commit to pumping billions into Crossrail 2 in the South proves that the government have completely ditched the idea of having a Northern Powerhouse and turned their back on Cumbria.

"This unacceptable bias towards the South and especially London cannot go on for any longer".