Lakes Line heritage service another massive success - MP

Local MP Tim Farron has hailed this weekend's special rail service on the Lakes Line as another massive success.

The line, which runs from Oxenholme to Windermere, was set to be shut over the Easter weekend due to engineering work on the West Coast Main Line.

But after discussion between Tim, Network Rail and West Coast Railways, the Carnforth-based company agreed to run a free shuttle service on Easter Saturday and Sunday.

According to the Lakes Line Rail User Group, approximately 2,500 passengers took advantage of the free service across the two days, averaging over 100 passengers per journey.

Last summer, Tim arranged for West Coast Railways to run a temporary service on the line for two weeks after Northern stopped operating services.

Tim said: "The folks at West Coast Railways did such a brilliant job stepping in to provide a service last year, so they were the obvious answer when it was announced that the Lakes Line would be closed over Easter.

"I want to say a big thank you to Network Rail, the Lakes Line Rail User Group and to everyone who has campaigned with us for a better local rail service who have helped make this happen - it was another massive success".