South Lakes councillor James Airey has asked the independent rail regulator to look at how more local accountability can be put in place on the Lakes Line following the recent disruption which led to the introduction of replacement bus services in June.
The Office for Rail and Roads is holding an independent inquiry into the widespread timetable disruption which led to the temporary suspension of train services on the Lakes Line.
As part of the inquiry’s term of reference, the regulator is looking at the strength of the rail industry’s accountability prior to any major network changes.
Northern has said it will reinstate a shuttle service on the Oxenholme to Windermere line on 2 July.
Councillor Airey, the Conservative Group leader on Cumbria County Council, has written to the inquiry’s Chair, Professor Stephen Glaister, asking him to consider using his inquiry’s recommendations to set out how more local accountability can be put in places for the Lakes Line in the future.
Councillor Airey said: “Northern and Network Rail have let down passengers on an epic scale. What we have got to ensure for the future is that we end up with a Lakes Line service of which we can all we can all be proud.
“What we need is a reliable rail service that is sustainable for the future, where local are people involved, and that is much more accountable to local passengers and businesses.
“That is why I have asked Professor Glaister to consider using his inquiry’s terms of reference to develop recommendations that would help achieve this for the Lakes Line.”