THE Government has pulled the plug on multi-million pounds to electrify the Lakes Line.
The line, connecting Windermere with the West Coast Main Line at Oxenholme, had been due to be electrified by this year.
The announcement from the Department for Transport today has been greeted with dismay from local campaigners.
Robert Talbot from the Lakes Line Rail User Group said he was 'not surprised but extremely disappointed'.
The Dft said in a statement electrification will not be needed because rail operator Northern is to trial an alternative-fuelled train on the line.
A Northern spokesperson said from May 2018 the route between Oxenholme and Windermere will see the introduction of ‘Flex trains’.
These units will be able to operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines meaning customers will be able to travel between the Lake District and Manchester Airport without changing trains.
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