A CROSS-PARTY coalition of Cumbrian MPs working together to improve the county's rail services were told by the newly appointed minister for rail that the area would not see any upgrades until 2019.

Labour MP for Barrow John Woodcock, Conservative MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison, and Liberal Democrat MP for Westmoreland and Lonsdale Tim Farron joined forces last year for the 'Cumbria Better Connected campaign' which has repeatedly called on the government to make urgent improvements to Cumbrian railway lines and rolling stock.

The group were contacted by minister Jo Johnson on January 29 said he would like to discuss their concerns about the poor quality of such a vital train line.

But, the minister ruled out any train upgrades until December 2019, claiming that ‘availability and operability’ ruled out upgrading the class 37 locomotives to 68s, or even 57s.

Speaking about the minister’s response, John Woodcock said:

“It frankly beggars belief that the minister blamed the government’s failure to upgrade the rolling stock on the availability of better trains, when they sent the 68s earmarked for the Furness line to the Chilterns. "It is just not good enough to leave us waiting until December 2019.

“I am also deeply disappointed that the minister neglected to answer the request to mandate Northern rail to meet its basic service obligations and provide alternatives when services are cancelled.

“It is incredibly concerning that school children are regularly being left stranded at stations when services are cancelled with no alternative transport provided, and it just cannot go on.

“The minister must act now to upgrade the trains and improve the services immediately – Cumbria Better Connected will not stop fighting until he does.”