THE next phase of the high-speed HS2 rail service could give Cumbria’s economy a vital boost, says the senior local politician responsible for transport.

Cumbria county councillor Keith Little - responsible for transport and highways issues at the authority - made the comment as he took part in a public information event at Carlisle’s Citadel rail station.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has been asked to develop a business case for HS2 stopping at Carlisle in a move which is being hailed as a step forward in the campaign to bring the service to the region. If the service does stop in Carlisle, HS2 trains from the city could reach London in two hours 34 minutes.

Current plans will see HS2 trains - travelling at up to 225mph - on a new high-speed line from London to Wigan before continuing on the existing West Coast Main Line to Scotland.

At present, none of these fast trains will stop at Oxenholme, Penrith or Carlisle, forcing Cumbrian passengers to change at Preston.

Mr Little said: “The only way we will develop our economy in the north west and Cumbria is by having good road and rail links. This project could be hugely significant for Cumbria.”

Rob Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has been invited by HS2 officials to present the business case for the trains stopping at the city.

HS2 has also identified Carlisle as a possible hub for the service, where trains would be divided into Glasgow and Edinburgh portions. Previously, it had been planning to split them at Carstairs in Scotland.

This would consolidate the city as a key stopping point on the route. “The reality is that HS2 will change the whole status of the line that runs through Cumbria,” said Mr Johnston. “If it doesn’t stop here, we think the services that do will be of a lot less quality and we would effectively become a branch-line.”

Cumbria Tourism is supporting the Chamber’s HS2 campaign.

Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “With two world heritage sites and increasing numbers of domestic and international visitors, it is unacceptable to see the proposed HS2 service will not stop here.”

The chamber has been lobbying HS2 to stop at Carlisle for the last year, including working with Cumbria’s MPs, the Rail Minister and Transport for the North.

“What we have said, is why not stop here at Carlisle to split the trains and give people the chance to get on and off too,” he said.

“Now they are at least talking about it and our next step is to talk to HS2 and work on a business case for it. We can make a very good case. We need to get the mobilisation of the demand and articulate that to them.

“In the future we are going to need all the connections we can get and if we do nothing now we are leaving a terrible legacy for future generations.”

Mr Johnston said there was also the potential for the development of a service depot in Carlisle, which he said could potentially be located at Kingmoor or Longtown.

The Chamber is also calling for more direct trains from Windermere and Barrow to Manchester Airport. These could connect with HS2 trains to London at Preston.

Mr Johnston said: “Passengers from Windermere to London already have to change at Oxenholme. We don’t want them to have to change twice – at Oxenholme and Preston.”

He added: “Business travellers don’t want to change trains because they like to be able to work without interruption.

“Visitors don’t like changes because it means hauling luggage on and off trains. And every time you change trains, there is the potential for a missed connection.”

HS2 staff were at Carlisle railway station today (Tues), talking to passengers, as part of a consultation on the new service.

The high-speed line will initially run between London and Birmingham. The extension to Manchester and Wigan should be completed by 2033.