A "TREMENDOUS victory" has seen train services return to the troubled Lakes Line after weeks of delays, while rail bosses confirm plans to introduce a shutter service next month.

West Coast Railways, based in Carnforth, will run six free services from 9.25am until 7pm daily after pressure from local campaign groups and MPs.

Northern, who suspended services on the route and introduced bus replacements, have announced plans to offer commuters a shuttle service.

The line had been suspended for the past two weeks between Oxenholme and Windermere after delays and disruption following the timetable changes on May 20.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, who led a protest walk along the line earlier this month, hailed the news.

He said: "This is a tremendous victory for local people. There has been a big community effort to get this off the ground and Iā€™m so pleased that we finally have a reliable service back on the Lakes Line.

"It should not have taken the efforts of local rail groups and my office staff to get a train up and running.

"This is obviously only a short-term solution and it is absolutely vital that Northern either get their act together or are stripped of both this line and the Furness Line so that an operator who actually wants to run trains can be put in charge of our local railways."

The temporary services will run alongside the rail replacement buses Northern are currently offering.

Northern have now announced plans to introduce a shuttle service on the line from Monday July 2.

This will include 12 services each day from 6.30am until 8pm.

John Cridland, chairman of Transport for the North, said: "This is a step in the right direction. The Lakes Line is a vital connection for one of our most popular tourist areas and we tentatively welcome the move to restore rail services on this line.

"We see this as a vital first step in restoring reliable timetabled services to this line as soon as possible.

"We have been clear in our ask of Northern and are glad they have listened.

"There is still work to be done to reassure the people of Cumbria. It is not just a matter of getting trains running again. We know from direct feedback that passengers have experienced delays and cancellations on this line long before the introduction of a new timetable.

"What we don't want to see is a return to an unreliable service.

"The Lake District is a jewel in the North's crown and attracts visitors from around the world. It needs a stable rail service that people can depend on."

Earlier this month, the News and Star launched its own campaign to 'Get our Railways Back on Track'.

Back by local MPs, your local paper believes it is time for change, and that Northern should be stripped of its franchise in Cumbria.

We are under no illusion the issues faced by the stakeholders in the delivery of rail services is incredibly complex.

However, seeing the scale of the chaos caused on so many levels, from unreliable Northern services, to the failure of Network Rail to properly implement promised infrastructure upgrades, to the department for transport's seeming lack of understanding of the looming crisis, it is clear those in charge need to be held accountable for such substantial failings.

Watchdog to question rail bosses over delays

QUESTIONS continue to be asked of rail bosses amid continued delays and disruption.

The independent watchdog Transport Focus have called a special board meeting to explain steps to restore services.

The board will question David Brown, Northern managing director, and Network Rail director of route sponsorship Patrick Cawley on the poor performance and plans for compensation.

A spokesperson for the watchdog said: "These unprecedented delays, confusion and cancellations have made life miserable for many Northern passengers.

"We are pushing, on behalf of passengers, for the whole rail industry to pull together to help passengers through this crisis. This includes lifting ticket restrictions and helping passengers whichever company they need to use."

The group will meet in Manchester tomorrow (19).