IMPROVEMENTS to train services will mean more people can travel between Cumbria and Manchester, says Northern.

It comes as Northern has installed a new train fuelling and serving facility at Barrow.

It means Northern will be able to operate six-car Class 195 trains between Cumbria and Manchester Airport, doubling capacity and providing more reliable services for customers.

The new, 75m servicing road means three carriages can be serviced and refuelled simultaneously - the site could previously only service one carriage at a time. A steel canopy has been constructed as part of the work, as well as upgrades to pumps and energy-efficient lighting.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The new facilities have meant that trains are able to be serviced faster, keeping them out in-service for our customers – improving reliability for the region and beyond. 

“Of the 3,000 new services a week introduced in our December 2022 timetable, 2,000 were in the North West. With this uplift, there was a need for a facility equal to that growth.”

The work was carried out in partnership with RTS Infrastructure Services.

Managing director Chris Reid said: “It was a privilege to play a part in delivering the investment in the local area.

"I would like to personally thank the depot team for their support and proactive attitude that was fundamental in delivering the depot enhancements in a safe and timely manner.

"The results demonstrate the RTS team’s capabilities to deliver large-scale depot enhancement programmes while minimising impacts to depot operations." 

Craig Wood, project manager at Northern, said: “This project was delivered to very tight timescale's and was made possible by a truly collaborative approach by all stakeholders.  Our delivery partner, Northern’s engineering and facilities team together with our project team worked closely together to implement innovative ideas to ensure that the project was delivered to schedule."  

On Sunday May 21. Northern’s new summer timetable comes into effect.