THE Lakes Line Rail User Group is to protest at Virgin Trains' proposal to axe the 7.34am train from

Oxenholme to Bournemouth. Group secretary Malcolm Conway said the train reached Manchester at 9.15am and, if it was scrapped, commuters would have no choice but to catch the 6.15am train instead. That particular service has no train connection with Windermere. Protests are to be made to the Strategic Rail Authority by the Lakes Line User Group and Westmorland and Lonsdale Liberal Democrat spokesman Tim Farron, who has also asked Virgin Trains to reconsider the move.

He said: "If Virgin is allowed to scrap this service, local travellers will be forced to drive or catch the 6.15am train - this will cause unnecessary hardship and stress to many local families."

February 7, 2003 10:31