LAKES LINE TRAIN CANCELLATIONS

That this House notes with concern that there were 160 trains cancelled on the Lakes line in April this year and that there are often insufficient bus replacement services provided; recognises that the Lake District is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Britain's biggest visitor destination outside London; expresses concern that the failing rail service is having a serious detrimental impact on the area's visitor economy; further notes the use of the line by commuters and school children and recognises the safeguarding issue created by the timetabled services not being available; registers disappointment at the Department of Transport's decision in 2016 to remove the franchise from TransPennine and grant it to Northern despite the Lakes line being separated from all the rest of Northern's services; regrets the Government's cancellation of the planned electrification of the line between Oxenholme and Windermere; urges Northern Rail to surrender the franchise immediately and, if they will not do so; and further urges the Government to strip Northern of the franchise in order for the service to be run directly by the Department of Transport until a more suitable operator is identified.