Lake District railway services could expand between Windermere and Oxenholme
8th February 2023
If given the funding, the line will improve rail network in the Lake District
Rail services in the Lake District could soon be improved after Cumbria County Council submitted a bid to the government.
The council has revealed their plans to expand the capacity of the Lakes line between Oxenholme and Windermere. As part of the Department for Transports Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline, the council produced a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for developing the railway branch line.
The case sets out the reason for the construction of a dynamic passing loop located running west from Burneside, as well as line speed and level crossing improvements, modernising signaling and a second platform at Burneside. The dynamic passing loop would be several times the length of the trains using the line, enabling them to pass each other without having to slow down.
The Lakes Line is currently single track, which means just one round trip per hour is possible. This limits its ability to support the visitor economy and restricts local community access via rail to health, education and other key services.
Improvements to the line could double the number of services able to run hourly on the line. This would provide improved transport links for local residents and better opportunities for sustainable travel for visitors to the Lake District. They would also deliver economic growth and environmental benefits by decarbonising train services.
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