Tim Farron urges Transport Secretary to back Lakes Line passing loop bid

Local MP Tim Farron has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, asking her to support proposals for a passing loop on the Lakes Line between Oxenholme and Windermere.

Back in February 2023, the then Cumbria County Council submitted a business case for a passing loop on the Lakes Line. However, 18 months later and there has still been no response from the Department for Transport.

The Lakes Line is currently single track, which means just one round trip per hour is possible. A passing loop would double capacity on the line, bringing benefits residents, visitors, businesses and the environment.

Writing to the Transport Secretary, Tim said: “A passing loop could easily double capacity on the line and, in doing so, will offer more regular and more reliable services into one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country – the Lake District.

“This would provide an enormous boost to Cumbria’s tourism sector, which is worth more than £3bn to the UK economy.

“It would have enormous environmental benefits too, with increased capacity on the Lakes Line resulting in fewer people needing to make the journey into the Lake District by car leading to fewer carbon emissions in this World Heritage Site.

“Given your Government’s commitment to growth, please will you urgently back this bid and support this vital project which will bring so many benefits to businesses, the tourism economy, local residents, and the environment.”