THE time of journeys from London to the Lake District will be slashed by up to three-quarters-of-an-hour when a much-heralded timetable reorganisation takes effect.

The 249-mile journey to London from Oxenholme will take around two and three-quarter hours when the new Virgin High Frequency timetable starts in January 2009, with the fastest train of the day taking just two hours 34 minutes at an average speed of 97mph.

The first train of the day from Cumbria to the capital will provide a much earlier arrival than before, leaving Penrith at 5.57am and Oxenholme at 6.21am and will be due in London just after 9am.

Faster journeys will also be offered to Birmingham with typical journey times of around two hours.

For full story see the June 8 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.