Furness Line closure: MP demands rail replacement bus to stop at Kents Bank

Local MP Tim Farron has written to Northern after it emerged that the rail replacement bus which is serving the closed Furness Line is not stopping at Kents Bank Station.

The line, which runs from Barrow to Lancaster, is closed for the next two weeks after a train was derailed near Grange.

But according to the National Rail website, “due to road conditions, Kents Bank station is currently not accessible to buses.”

In his letter to Northern, Tim said: “When so many rail passengers are already deeply inconvenienced by the Furness Line closure, to make it even more difficult to catch a replacement bus service than it already seems ludicrous and extremely poor planning by Northern.

“I have had frantic parents calling me, as GCSEs and A levels commence in early May, and they are fearful that the line will not be reinstated and worry about how their child(ren) will get to school, if the line to Ulverston and Barrow remains closed.

“Disruption could not come at a worse time of year, so Northern really needs to step up and ensure replacement buses are plentiful and run pretty much to time otherwise we will see pupils impacted.

“Please can you ensure replacement buses do henceforth collect from Kents Bank and communicate where pick-ups can take place.”