A PASSING loop would enable a doubling of the number of trains on the Lakes Line and provide a vital boost to the area's tourist industry, Tim Farron has told rail chiefs.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP also told the Rail Delivery Group improvements to Windermere station and disabled access to Staveley station were also desperately needed.

“After a miserable year for passengers on the Lakes Line, it’s absolutely imperative that the line is given some much-needed improvements," said Mr Farron.

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“The number one way that this could be done is to invest in a passing loop which means trains could run on the line every half hour instead of just one every hour. This would not only be useful for local residents but would also provide an important boost to the local tourist industry.

“For too long, rail bosses have broken their promises to local people about better services and improvements to the line, now is the time for them to make up for their failures and invest in the Lakes.”

The MP also made the case for Northern to have the franchise for their operation of the line taken away, and also called for the new HS2 trains to stop in Cumbria.