By Staff reporter

Last updated 11:35, Friday, 09 May 2008

NEW cash could be pumped into rail services in west Cumbria as part of a Network Rail strategy.

Overcrowding: Sellafield commuter services could be upgraded if the investment scheme goes ahead

One of the aims of the plan is to solve overcrowding on Sellafield commuter services.

Upgrading rail links to the Sellafield nuclear complex and re-doubling the London Road Junction at Carlisle are among the recommendations of Network Rail’s draft Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for Lancashire and Cumbria.

The document says many towns and cities in the region have poor rail links and current timetables do not suit the needs of commuters and tourists.

It adds that the introduction of the new West Coast Main Line timetable in early 2009 presents opportunities for improvements in Lancashire and Cumbria which could make it easier for passengers to change trains at key interchanges.

The RUS identifies a number of problems with existing rail services around the coast.

Peak services into Sellafield currently suffer from overcrowding and Network Rail says there is a business case to strengthen this service with additional rolling stock.

It also recommends that the Monday to Saturday timetable on the Cumbrian Coast is revised.

Network Rail says re-doubling London Road Junction at Carlisle would be a relatively simple job which would provide performance and capacity improvements. It calls for this scheme to be developed with the aim of early implementation.

Network Rail has given no indications of the possible timescale for the RUS proposals becoming reality.

Alan Ball, chairman of Furness Line Action Group, welcomed improvements on Sellafield services.

He added: “It is a shame, though, that there is no direct mention of bringing back the Sunday service. It would only take a one-off capital spend on automatic level crossings.”