SINCE the cancellation crisis on the Lakes Line became very serious, many of us in the Lakes Line Rail User Group (LLRUG) and Community Rail Partnership (CRP) have become used to hearing reports of the problems the frequent and unpredictable cancellations have caused. We’ve also had regular emails with more examples.

We welcome all these reports, and they have helped us apply more pressure on Northern’s senior management, and the Department for Transport to sort the problems out.

Replacing all trains by buses for a two-week period isn’t the real solution, but we hope that the two-week complete bus substitution plan restores predictable services and trust in the Lakes Line, both for visitors and local users.

We have been encouraged by how often reports from the local community to us have also included thanks for the work done by LLRUG and LLCRP. We shall continue to monitor what happens, and keep the pressure on Northern and the DfT to reinstate a reliable and high-quality service on the Lakes Line as soon as possible.

Dick Smith

Assistant Secretary, Lakes Line Rail User Group

Secretary, Lakes Line Community Rail Partnership