[N]orthern is introducing improved services to make travelling in and around Cumbria more convenient than ever before.
From 20 May Northern will introduce an enhanced service between Carlisle and Barrow, with later evening trains and a regular Sunday services.
We will also operate four services a day (each way) between Barrow and Manchester Airport. And we will strengthen links between Cumbria and Manchester with one Manchester Piccadilly to Windermere and two Windermere to Manchester Piccadilly services every day.
The enhanced services form part of Northern’s May timetable change, which is paving the way for future improvements and getting the network ready for the arrival of Northern’s fully refurbished trains.
Unfortunately, due to the knock on effects of delays in the delivery of infrastructure work between Manchester and Preston, it has been necessary to postpone some of the improvements Northern had hoped to deliver. The planned service to Manchester via Wigan will now not be introduced.
Sharon Keith, Northern’s Regional Director, said: “Whilst we have been able to offer some notable improvements in our May timetable for customers travelling to and from, and within, Cumbria, it’s disappointing that we have had to postpone our planned route via Wigan.
“Our proposed timetable for May 18 was dependent on the successful delivery by Network Rail of the Manchester to Preston Electrification Project, which has been significantly delayed.
“This means some of our proposed routes have been rescheduled and will now be arriving later than planned.”
Sharon added: “The delay to some of our service improvements will not, however, delay our overall modernisation plans. By 2020 we will provide 2,000 extra services across the Northern network each week, will have introduced 98 brand new trains, will have fully refurbished our fleet and removed all Pacers from the line. We are absolutely committed to transforming the journey experience for our customers.”
Trudy Harrison MP has praised Northern Rail’s announcement which will see 22 rail services between Barrow and Carlisle every Sunday, as well as evening trains starting from May 2018.
Mrs Harrison, said: “Having proudly spoke of this very welcome addition to our timetable last year I became increasingly worried over the last few weeks as challenges with sufficient rolling stock due to delays elsewhere became known, making my desperation known to Rt Hon Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary.
“Thanks to the determination of Sharon Keith at Northern Rail and the committed staff at Northern Rail, Network Rail and many others including the Copeland Rail User Group, we can now look forward to this much needed service which will transform our visitor economy, enable students to return at weekends and generally support both the needs of business and our community.”
Northern’s May 2018 service improvements are as follows:
Manchester – Cumbria
- Four direct Barrow – Manchester Airport services and vice versa will operate along with one Manchester Piccadilly – Windermere and two Windermere – Manchester Piccadilly services
Carlisle – Barrow
- Enhanced service will be introduced, including later evening trains and regular Sunday services
