Rail industry urged to get behind call for Northern to fund Lakes marketing campaign

South Lakes councillor James Airey is urging the UK’s rail industry to get behind calls for troubled operator Northern to fund a marketing campaign for the Lakes after weeks of disruption on the Oxenholme to Windermere line.

Councillor Airey, the Conservative Group leader on Cumbria County Council, has written today to the Rail Industry Group’s Chief Executive, Paul Plummer, asking him to support calls for Northern to provide funding for a major marketing campaign for the Lakes.

All passenger and freight rail companies are members of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which provides services and support to help its members deliver rail services across the UK.

This week, the Government provided funding to enable West Coast Railways to run a free shuttle service on the line while Northern’s temporary replacement bus services remain in operation.

Councillor Airey said: “Following the recent disruption to services on the Lakes Line, Northern has a duty to help Cumbria Tourism get the message across that South Lakeland is open for business.

“As the industry body for every rail company in the UK there is also an obligation on the Rail Delivery Group to get behind these calls for its member to do the right thing and provide funding for this important marketing campaign.”