Lake District rail electrification passes green light
The Department for Transport has provisionally approved proposals for electric trains to run on the 10-mile route connecting Oxenholme Lake District station on the West Coast Mainline with Windermere station.
Subject to the business case confirming the £16m project provides good value for money, Network Rail will be asked to undertake the work in conjunction with other North West rail electrification projects.
Electric trains accelerate and decelerate more quickly than diesel trains, reducing journey times and allowing for more frequent services.
A new timetable will be considered as part of the new Northern and Transpennine franchises, both of which will commence in February 2016.