New trains depend on Lakes Line electrification - Farron

The government must push ahead with the Lakes Line electrification without further delay so that the line is not stuck with old trains, according to South Lakeland MP Tim Farron.

Data released by the government today reveals that while the average age of the trains used across the country is 21 years, those used by Northern, the contractor which runs the Lakes Line between Windermere and Oxenholme, are on average significantly older, at over 27 years old.

However, the Lakes Line is due to get new trains once the electrification of the line has taken place. The Lib Dems managed to secure funding for the electrification project in 2014, and it was hoped that the project could be completed by early 2017. However, the current government has pushed this back, meaning it is still years from completion.

Tim said: "The government cannot afford to delay any further the electrification of the Lakes Line, which will allow the line to be properly integrated with the rest of the network. For tourists visiting the Lake District by rail, the trains on the Lakes Line will be their first impression of our area, and it is vital that it is a good one. At the moment, many of the trains used by Northern are significantly older than in the rest of the country. Electrification will lead to us getting new trains, and the government must push ahead with this project now."