MP makes the case for passing loop for Lakes Line in meeting with rail minister

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has taken his campaign for a passing loop on the Lakes Line to the rail minister Andrew Jones.

During a meeting with the minister and Cumbrian MPs in Westminster yesterday, Tim argued that a passing loop, which would lead to trains being able to run on the line every half hour, would be massively beneficial to local residents and to the local tourist economy.

Tim has been pushing for money to be invested into a passing loop ever since the Government scrapped plans to electrify the line back in 2017.

The minister told Tim that he was looking at ways to upgrade the line and that he would definitely look at the possibility of a passing loop.

Tim also reinforced his argument to scrap plans to shut the Lakes Line over Easter weekend and the two bank holiday Mondays in May.

The minister said he would look at trying to make sure that branch lines where engineering wasn't taking place, like the Lakes Line, didn't have to be closed as a result.

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "Passengers in Cumbria have had to put up with a lot over this past year. So, it was really positive to see the minister acknowledge the need for upgrades, particularly for a passing loop for the Lakes Line which would double capacity. This would mean trains could run every half an hour rather than every hour. This would not only be useful for local residents, it would also provide an important boost to the local tourist industry, taking people to the heart of the Lakes."