Rail campaigners welcome changes

Last updated 12:04, Monday, 18 August 2008

A TIMETABLE shake-up has been welcomed as a step in the right direction by rail campaigners.

The December changes mean Barrow actually loses two direct trains to Manchester Airport.

But there will also be one extra through train coming from Manchester to Barrow and more direct services to the airport on the Windermere branch line.

Rail lobby group Furness Line Action Group says trains between Barrow and Lancaster and Barrow and Carlisle run by Northern Rail will be boosted “massively” by the changes.

A spokeswoman for TransPennine Express said: “We are not reducing the number of trains to and from Barrow and to and from Windermere.

“The December timetable changes are generally good news for your area.

“Journey times have improved, connections are better and in some instances there are actually more direct services between Barrow/Windermere and Manchester.

“We have also sought to improve connections at Oxenholme on to longer distance journeys, eg London and Birmingham.”

Meanwhile, Flag’s newsletter says the new Northern Rail timetable is a winner.

A spokesman said: “The new timetable from December 2008 gives a massive boost to services north of Barrow.

“There are extra trains on the Millom to Whitehaven section with Barrow/Carlisle through trains increased by two southbound and three northbound.

“There is also significantly reduced northbound journey times due to vastly improved connections from Transpennine Express and Northern arrivals at Barrow in the morning and evening.

“We may not yet have Sunday services north from Barrow, but this is an excellent start which will encourage use of the line and benefit tourism.”