Farron Welcomes Rail Improvements

Tim Farron MP has welcomed the announcement of increased rail services to Manchester Airport, as well as a commitment to push ahead with electrification, which the government has announced as part of the new franchise agreements.

The government has announced it intends to award the Northern franchise to Arriva Rail North Limited, and the TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited. Both will take effect from April 2016.

The Lakes Line will come under the Northern Franchise, and will see a doubling of services to Manchester Airport - from no more than two per day at present to a minimum of 4 per day. The level of service between Windermere and Oxenholme will be maintained, and the services will use new electric trains once the line has been electrified.

Services to and from Barrow-in-Furness will also come under Northern Franchise, and there will be a minimum of 8 trains per day in each direction between Barrow-in-Furness and Manchester Airport - double the frequency today. These services will be operated by new diesel trains.

Tim said: "This announcement is very welcome news. I have long campaigned for the electrification of the Lakes Line, and I am pleased to see that the government has decided to push ahead with this.

"The announcement of increased services to and from Manchester Airport is also good news for local residents and local businesses, making it easier for tourists to visit South Lakeland."