Passengers in Cumbria and North Lancashire are soon to have their say on how local rail services are run.
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced that designation of the line between Barrow-in-Furness to Carnforth and on to Lancaster will enable train companies to work more closely with the Furness Line Community Rail Partnership to better design services to meet local needs.
Ms Villiers said: “I want to encourage communities to become more closely involved with their railways to help create the services and stations passengers deserve.”
Nick Donovan, Chief Executive of First TransPennine Express, added: “This service designation is a first for a line on which our trains run and I welcome the even closer links between this company and the Furness Line Community Rail Partnership.”
Rob Terwey, Chairman of the Furness Line Community Rail Partnership said: “We look forward to having greater flexibility and the opportunity to work more closely with the rail industry, users, local councils and others to maximise the benefit of rail services and station improvements around the shores of Morecambe Bay.”
