AN “orange army” of responders is now united and poised to spring into action where urgent work is needed to keep trains in South Cumbria on track.

It comes thanks to a £1.7m investment from Network Rail, which has merged two depots to create one base for 45 of its maintenance staff. And the timing could not be better, as worried passengers raise fears about the impact of frequent disruptions on summer holiday-goers.

Brendan Sweeney, deputy leader of Barrow Borough Council, spoke out after encountering yet another cancellation on Wednesday. This time, it was the 6.48am Northern service from Barrow to Manchester.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yet another train cancellation. No 06:48 from Barrow. <a href="https://twitter.com/JWoodcockMP">@JWoodcockMP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NWEMlive">@NWEMlive</a> . How many people will be late for work or miss plane?</p>— Brendan Sweeney (@mbrendansweeney) <a href="https://twitter.com/mbrendansweeney/status/887540092901961732">July 19, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

But, as Councillor Sweeney points out, cancellations have become an all-too-regular occurrence for passengers turning up to Barrow railway station. Last Friday, it was the 2.41pm service from Barrow to Preston. Three days earlier, the 6.03pm and 8.15pm trains along the same route were called off.

Read more: Cancelled: train disruption in Barrow

Read more: Cancellation causes misery for Barrow commuters

He was not alone in his concerns, with other travellers responding to admit they had paid to stay in airport hotels to avoid the risk of missing their flights.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think they may be in league with the Manchester Airport hotels. Precautionary Premier Inn pre-flight for this cat.</p>— Dan (@DMKStand) <a href="https://twitter.com/DMKStand/status/887570396282839040">July 19, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Councillor Sweeney said: “People use these trains for all sorts of purposes - we need them for connections onwards all over the country. The trains get very busy over the holiday period, so there’s a lot more people with the potential to be inconvenienced.

“The other knock-on effect is that you then get double the number of people on the next train and these trains are already overloaded, especially with people going away with suitcases.”

Today’s unveiling of a major new depot in Elizabethan Way, next to Barrow station, could go part-way towards solving some of the issues. The investment comes as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, and means that its workers can respond more effectively to the demands of freight and passenger trains along the Cumbrian coast line, Furness line, Cumbrian coast line and West Coast main line.

Previously, three teams essential to the safe running of Cumbria’s railways were housed in two locations and in temporary buildings in a poor state. Staff will now benefit from a better working environment, and there are already plans to expand the site to include a store and workshop area next to the building.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director of Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “By combining two separate depots into one new super unit, our south Cumbrian track, signal and construction teams can now operate more effectively and quickly from one strategic site. Our £1.7m investment in Barrow shows our commitment to the town as it is uniquely placed to help us keep the Cumbrian coast line, Furness line and West Coast main line safe.”

The new, modern maintenance and emergency response unit was officially opened today by Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock.

Mr Woodcock said: “This is such a transformation from the conditions for Network Rail workers in their previous dispersed depots in the town. This will allow their staff to operate from a proper base and allow them to maintain the Cumbrian coast line and the Furness line, which all passengers will be able to benefit from in the future.

“But we must keep pushing for improvements to the passenger service on the Furness line. Two days ago our community was rocked by the news that GSK is withdrawing its commitment in Ulverston and a new investor may need to be found. Potential investors will be far less inclined to commit to our area if it continues to be served by 40 or 50-year-old trains and a timetable that is sometimes badly hit with hold-ups and cancellations.”

Read more: Lakes trains to run on 'alternative power'

Read more: Anger as 'bi-mode' train decision spells end of line for electrification plans