TIMETABLE changes are on the way for passengers travelling between Windermere, Barrow-in-Furness and Manchester Airport.

In a a major announcement about train routes in the North, the Department for Transport said the 06:18 Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness service would be cut, but a new, direct 17:14 service from Manchester Oxford Road to Barrow-in-Furness would be introduced, with a connection for Windermere.

A new 10:53 service from Windermere to Manchester Airport is also to be introduced, while the existing 13:33 service from Barrow-in-Furness to Manchester Airport will depart at 12:13.

Meanwhile, on the Cumbrian coast, longer trains are to boost capacity between Carlisle, Sellafield and Barrow, with an improved early-morning service from Carlisle arriving in time for the power station's morning shift.

Describing the news as "double-edged", Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “Losing the direct early-morning train from Manchester and the airport to Barrow is completely the wrong direction of travel at a time when this entire service remains under threat in the new franchise from 2016." The MP described the route as "vital" for the Furness economy.

Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member for transport, Cllr Keith Little said: "It was disappointing that in making the changes, some services have seen direct connections to Manchester lost, but the overall package is a better one for Cumbria.

"Next I want to see a commitment from Government on some of our other key asks, including introducing a Sunday service on the Cumbrian Coastal Line."

The Lakes Line Rail User Group is to meet this week to discuss in detail its concerns about the Department for Transport announcement - not least the impact on people visiting patients at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Secretary Malcolm Conway said the 12:54 Windermere to Barrow train - which currently runs to Lancaster - would not go beyond Oxenholme.

That would mean people would not be able to get to Lancaster by train in time for hospital visiting at 2pm, he said.

Robert Parker, secretary of Furness Line Action Group, told the Gazette that any improvements would be "a help" to passengers on the line.

Meanwhile, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said he welcomed news that rail capacity would be increased throughout the North.

The MP's office said: "Tim’s lobbying to extend services on the Lakes Line and protect the direct link between Manchester Airport and Windermere has paid off. Tim has repeatedly called and campaigned to protect the through trains to Manchester Airport as he believes it is vital for residents, businesses and our tourism sector."