RAIL bosses have put the prospect of electrifying the Lakes Line back on the table.

It follows pressure from Tim Farron, the Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, who met chiefs from Network Rail and the Department for Transport to discuss the idea.

The MP said people were "betrayed" last year when the government shelved plans to electrify the line and improve stations.

He claimed rail chiefs had pledged to look again at electrifying the line.

Mr Farron said: “Passengers in south Cumbria have had to put up with a lot over the past three months, and we continue to make the case for Northern to be stripped of the franchise.

“Rail bosses from across the industry have apologised for this shambles but it’s time to show that they really care about rail passengers in our area and start giving our railways the proper investment that we so desperately need.

“In the case of the Lakes Line that means proper infrastructure improvements – a passing loop will allow more trains to run on the line and better accessibility at Staveley station is badly needed for mums with prams and people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

“After local people were betrayed last year when electrification was cancelled, it’s right that bosses at Network Rail say that they’re prepared to look again.”

Passengers using the Lakes Line have witnessed a number of cancellations, with operator Northern coming under fire after it was under-equipped to run its new timetable.

The Mail's campaign, Get Our Railways Back On Track, calls for action to dramatically and swiftly improve the train services offered to the people of Cumbria.

We have advocated for a new franchise operator to be found following the chaotic yet avoidable implementation of a new timetable by Northern.

The fight has been taken all the way to the prime minister's door, with The Mail's Jonathan Rees accompanying Mr Farron in June to deliver a petition to number 10 Downing Street signed by more than 4,000 people calling for Northern to be stripped off the franchise.