“IT is not good enough” that is the latest response to the major disruption set to hit to train travel in Cumbria.

Rail campaigners have been left furious after Network Rail warned commuters of the major changes to train passengers’ journeys over the Easter and May bank holiday weekends.

The rail company will be carrying out work on the West Coast main line with major track upgrades taking place on the railway north of Lancaster and into Cumbria.

As a result commuters are being warned of a major impact on journeys including alternative routes, longer travel times and busier trains than normal.

Work between Good Friday and Easter Monday includes:

n Work to improve points and rail replacement at Milnthorpe in South Lakes.

n Track foundation improvements at Upperby in Carlisle

Work between May 4 and May 6 includes:

n The West Coast main line will be closed between Crewe and Carlisle during the early May bank holiday while track and overhead line maintenance is carried out, as well as track renewal;

n Euston station will be closed to main line train services

Work will also be taking place at other points on the West Coast main line.

Robert Parker, of the Furness Line Action Group, said: “The closures north of Lancaster will once again result in the Lake District being cut off.

“This is an issue which has been raised year on year, and we have complained that the Lake District National Park is a tourist destination and those people wishing to visit it should be able to access it but network rail claim they conduct the work over bank holidays because it is the quiet time. It is not good enough.”

Robert Talbot, Chairman of Lakes Line Rail User Group said: “It isn’t good. I’ve written to all the players involved saying enough is enough.

“Bank holidays are a peak time for the area but they don’t recognise that at all.”

MP John Woodcock said: “It is deeply frustrating for both the people who use the rail service to get around Cumbria and also to the businesses who for them the Easter weekend is critically important. I thought after the disasters on the Furness and Windermere Line these lessons would have been learned.”

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “We recognise there is never an ideal time to shut the railway for our must-do work.

"Bank holidays are the least disruptive time to do it, when fewer passengers use the railway compared to the working week.

“That way we can do the maximum amount of work while impacting the fewest number of people.”