Cumbria County Council to submit Lakes Line passing loop case in September

Cumbria County Council is currently developing a feasibility study into a passing loop on the Lakes Line from Oxenholme to Windermere which would double the amount of trains that run into the Lake District.

And it will submit a business case to the Department for Transport in September.

The Lakes Line is currently single track, which means just one round trip per hour is possible, restoring the line’s capacity by adding a dynamic passing loop would enable up to two trains per hour to run along the line with the potential for more services to run south to Manchester and Preston.

Read more: Government accused of 'dragging its feet' over train line expansion plan

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron met with Treasury minister Helen Whately to make the case for a passing loop.

During the meeting Mr Farron told the minister that increasing the trains from every hour to every half hour would provide a big boost to commuters, school children, businesses and would help to reduce carbon emissions in the process.

Tim Farron and Helen Whately MP

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Farron said: “I’m really grateful to the minister for the opportunity to get this vital project on the Government’s radar.

“The Lakes Line is such an important transport link into the Lake District so doubling its capacity has to be an absolute no brainer.

“If we’re serious about tackling climate change by reducing the number of cars on our roads then having more frequent rail services is going to be crucial.”

Mr Farron said the work is estimated to cost in the region of £20million.

“There are around 20million visitors coming to the Lake District each year," he said.

“That’s £1 a visitor.

“That’s cheap.”