WORK has begun on improvements to the Furness line after £500,000 of investment.

Network Rail said passengers using the railway between Barrow and Lancaster would soon have more reliable journeys after work on a crucial piece of infrastructure on the line.

Half a million pounds is being invested to reinforce a steep railway embankment at Holmrock on the Furness Line to the south of the Kent Viaduct.

The Great North Rail Project work will see the strengthening of a slope and a new piled retaining wall to protect the track from future movement.

Tony Butler, route asset manager for earthworks at Network Rail, said: “This vital upgrade as part of the Great North Rail Project will keep important Northern passenger services running safe and reliably on this section of the Furness line.

“The first phase involves making the embankment shallower and the second involves keeping the track in place.

"The work has been designed to put passengers first as it will be carried out without closing the railway.”

Phase one of the work to stabilise the embankment has already started and will last until the end of the month.

Phase two begins on February 2 and will last until March.

The improvement work is due to take place overnight at weekends when the trains are not running.

Furness MP Simon Fell said: "It's great to see investment coming through where it's really needed on the Furness Line. What people really want is safe and reliable services and this is a step in the right direction."

"But this is only part of the battle - we need the franchisee to keep up their end of the deal and run a good service too. I'm afraid that Northern just aren't up to the job.

"I'm going to keep an eye on making sure that this investment doesn't affect Furness passengers. If anyone does see a negative impact, I'd urge them to let me know. "

Network Rail said the improvements would not impact on rail services but reminded passengers they can always plan their journeys by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk.