CALLS for a Cumbrian rail franchise have intensified after cancellations on Cumbria’s railways rose to double figures within a week of Northern resuming full control of the franchises.

More than 30 trains were cancelled on the Lakes, Furness and Coast lines at the weekend.

The under-fire operator only resumed service on the Lakes Line on July 2, following a month of cancellations, which it said was due to staffing shortages.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron this week tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling for the Cumbrian micro-franchise.

Mr Farron said: “For far too long now, Cumbria has been seen as the end of the line by rail bosses in Manchester and Government ministers in London.

“Rail franchises have become too big and as a result do nothing to serve communities away from major population centres.

“It’s high time now for Cumbria to have its own franchise run by a provider that is actually interested in providing a reliable service – something which Northern has repeatedly failed to do.”

Last month, Tim joined Robert Talbot, the Chair of the Lakes Line Rail User Group (LLRUG), in handing in a petition signed by over 5,000 people calling for Northern to be stripped of the Lakes and Furness Lines.

MPs from Cumbria, including Tim Farron and John Woodcock, accompanied by members of the LLRUG, also attended a meeting with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Rail Minister Jo Johnson.

The aim was to stress the importance of a good rail service in the area and demand that Northern be held to account.

However, of the two hour scheduled meeting, Mr Grayling and Mr Johnson only stayed for 40 minutes.

In a letter to both politicians, LLRUG’s Mr Talbot echoed Mr Farron’s call for a micro-franchise, and even highlighted suitable firms to run it.

He wrote: “Insufficient time has been devoted to taking an in depth look into the possibilities of operating our three Cumbrian routes as a micro-franchise.

“We ask you to seriously consider removing these services from the current Northern franchise.

These routes are unique in that there are two independent local operators ideally situated and suited should they wish to apply to operate the said services.

These are of course West Coast Railways (WCR) based at Carnforth and Direct Rail Services (DRS) based at Carlisle.

Both have motive power, rolling stock and staff, as witnessed by WCR’s fortnight’s Lakes Line operation, and DRS daily on the Cumbrian Coast Line.”

WCR took over the Lakes Line with a free service during Northern’s cancellations in June. The company has stressed its desire to take over the line permanently.

Speaking to the Gazette during June, managing director Pat Marshall said: “If we were to take over the line we could put on modern rolling stock.

“I would like to think this is a route we can go down.”