South Lakes MP hails huge community campaign win after Government announce plans to Sack Northern

Commenting on today's news that the Government have stripped Arriva of their Northern franchise, local MP Tim Farron said: "This is a big, big win for rail passengers here in Cumbria and across the North West.

"On the Lakes and Furness lines we've had to endure years of chaos and cancellations, and at one point we even had to step in and run our own service when Northern simply gave up.

"I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, whether joining us on our protest walk from Windermere to Oxenholme, or signing our petition that we presented to 10 Downing Street.

"But we are under no illusion that, while the chances of the service improving under Arriva were zero, problems on our rail lines will not automatically disappear.

"The Government need to put their money where their mouth is and make sure that we are not left in the same situation where our railways are run by a company without the sufficient staff to run a regular service.

"Let's not also forget that some of the blame for the shambles over the past few years, lies at the Conservative Government's doors - cancelling electrification and capacity upgrade projects such as two new platforms at Manchester Piccadilly.

"We will continue to hold the Government's feet to the fire to make sure they keep their promises to rail passengers across the North."