MP urges government to support Lakes Line loop

Tim Farron has written to the Secretary of State for Transport

An MP has urged the government to support proposals for a passing loop on a single track railway which would double its capacity.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, outlining the case for improvements to the Lakes Line between Oxenholme and Windermere, in Cumbria.

It follows the submission of a business case for a loop in February 2023 by the then Cumbria County Council.

The Department of Transport said it was currently carrying out a review of all current and future schemes but the financial inheritance from the previous government was "extremely challenging".

The Lakes Line is currently single track, which means just one round trip per hour is possible.

The Lakes Line is currently single track between Oxenholme (pictured) and Windermere stations

A passing loop would double capacity on the line, bringing, Mr Farron claims, benefits to residents, visitors, businesses and the environment.

"It will offer more regular and more reliable services into one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country, the Lake District," he said.

"This would provide an enormous boost to Cumbria’s tourism sector, which is worth more than £3bn to the UK economy."

He added it would have "enormous environmental benefits", as fewer people would need to use their cars to get to the Lakes.

In response, the Department of Transport referred to a written statement made by the Transport Secretary Louise Haigh in July 2024 when she announced a complete review of all existing transport projects.

"The previous administration has left a £22bn public spending gap this year alone – £2.9bn of which is unfunded transport commitments," it said.

"Communities up and down the country have been given hope with no plans or funds to deliver them."