Tim launches campaign in Grange to protect Furness and Lakes line services

Tim will join Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock, who will be holding a campaign morning to launch a petition to retain the direct rail service between Barrow and Manchester Airport, which is threatened by Transpennine's proposed 2014 franchise and the post-electrification service pattern.

Tim and John will be joined by local residents, South Lakeland District Council Leader Peter Thornton and members of the RMT Union who are backing the campaign. They will be collecting signatures at 12pm at Grange over Sands station.

Tim will be holding campaign sessions along the Lakes Line soon to garner more signatures for the campaign.

Tim has also today written to Justine Greening MP, the Transport Secretary and in his letter he has said: 'Many of my constituents are very concerned at the prospect of losing their 'through' trains from Windermere and Barrow towards Manchester. I am also worried about the effect that a reduction of direct services from Manchester Airport to Windermere may have on the South Lakes' tourism industry. Passenger surveys conducted by local rail user groups have repeatedly found that passengers appreciate the convenience of being able to travel directly from the airport to their holiday destination.'

'Please will you press First Transpennine Express to revise its currently proposed timetable for 2014? Please will you also commit to retaining at least a similar number of through services as present in the franchise specification for the next round of franchise bidding?'

Tim said: "I look forward to joining John and campaigners on Friday lunchtime and launching a cross party campaign to protect a vital service for our community. The Furness Line is as important as the Lakes Line and they both play a vital part in boost tourism. I know that many residents back the campaign and we will work together to protect the frequency of the service."