Cumbrian Euro MP Brian Simpson has described as ‘disappointing’ the decision by the Department of Transport to scrap through trains from Carlisle to the West Country.  Presently, Carlisle has five through-trains per day to Bristol, Plymouth and Penzance, but under the new Cross Country Franchise scheduled for 2007-2008 they will all disappear. 

The new look Cross Country Franchise has no direct services on the West Coast Main Line north of Crewe and Manchester.  Instead, the Trans-Pennine Express Operator will be asked to run  Manchester-Cumbria-Glasgow services and Virgin West Coast will introduce Glasgow to Birmingham services to link into Cross Country. 

“I am disappointed that Cumbria will lose its direct services to the West and South West of England.  These proposals will undoubtedly lead to a diminished service for Cumbria on these routes, necessitating a change of train either at Crewe or Birmingham” said Mr Simpson. 

The introduction of Trans-Pennine services to Glasgow also raises issues that could affect the country . 

“If TPE are taking over these routes, what rolling stock will  they use?  Undoubtedly, it will be their new 185 stock which could be removed from Windermere and Barrow services.  All of us in Cumbria will need to ensure that this doesn’t happen and that TPE’s take over of  these routes comes with more new rolling stock and not at the expense of existing services” concluded Mr Simpson.