WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has told managers at the rail company Northern that passengers on the Lakes Line are choosing to boycott the line because they are so fed up with the poor service.

In a face to face meeting, Mr Farron put Northern managers on the spot.

People have been subjected to a number of cancellations and long delays in recent months.

Mr Farron has also written to the Department for Transport calling for Arriva Rail North to be stripped of the franchise.

Representatives from Northern explained that the spike in the number of cancellations in was down to issues with staff shortages.

They also mentioned that last year’s announcement that electrification of the line had been cancelled had resulted in slower, less reliable diesel trains being used.

Mr Farron said: “Over the past six weeks, my postbag has been filled to the brim with letters from local people who are sick and tired of turning up to the station to find their train has been cancelled.

“I’ve seen it for myself too when I’ve been at Oxenholme and Windermere stations recently.

“I was able to express people’s frustrations when I met with Northern last week.

“Fourteen cancellations in a day is simply not good enough and local people deserve better than this shambles."