WINDERMERE councillor Ben Berry has expressed concerns over how proposed rail strike action may impact the Lakes Line.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has confirmed that guards and drivers on Northern - which also runs services on the Furness Line - Southern Rail and Merseyside Rail will strike on March 13.

The action has been called over moves to change the roles of onboard crew, with new trains set to be introduced that do not need guards.

Northern has not confirmed its plans but is expected to bring in the new trains, which RMT has said will threaten passenger safety.

Cllr Berry and Conservative candidate Andrew Lucas, in Kendal, are particularly concerned about the impact strike action would have on businesses and school children.

“Strike action when Northern Rail are at least 12 months from confirming their plans (for new trains) seems particularly unjust. Andrew Lucas and I request that Northern Rail and RMT do everything possible to ensure that this strike action is avoided as the disruption to local people and local businesses could be significant.”

A spokesperson for Northern said that if strike action goes ahead then customers could be reassured that there were plans in place to keep them moving.

“As our modernisation proposals are still in the early stages, it is a shame that RMT has announced strike action," the spokesperson said. "Our aim is to reach a constructive resolution and we urge RMT to continue the talks we have already started."

Mr Lucas and Cllr Berry have invited Northern Rail to meet with them in Kendal to fully understand its plans.