Lake District National Park authority criticises the Government for scrapping Lakes Line electrification, as Farron urges rethink

The Lake District National Park Authority have slammed the Government's decision to cancel the proposed electrification of the lakes line.

In a letter written to the Transport Secretary, the National Park said they were "disappointed" by the decision, and expressed their support for the electrification of the Lakes Line saying it would make "a significant and positive contribution to supporting the regional economy and enabling low carbon sustainable transport".

Tim Farron said: "This intervention from the Lake District National Park is further proof that the Government is completely out of touch with the needs of the Cumbrian economy.

"While continuing to pump billions into rail infrastructure in the South, the Government are still committed to pulling the plug on a project which is critical to our local tourism industry.

"It speaks volume that just less than a month after becoming a World Heritage Site, the Transport Secretary shelved plans to make it easier for visitors to reach the Lake District.

"To save any last shred of credibility, the Government must re-think its plans to scrap the electrification of the Lakes Line."