Northern introduces new Cumbria services as part of May timetable switch

From 20 May Northern will introduce an enhanced service between Carlisle and Barrow, with later evening trains and a regular Sunday services.

We will also operate four services a day (each way) between Barrow and Manchester Airport. And we will strengthen links between Cumbria and Manchester with one Manchester Piccadilly to Windermere and two Windermere to Manchester Piccadilly services every day.

The enhanced services form part of Northern’s May timetable change, which is paving the way for future improvements and getting the network ready for the arrival of Northern’s fully refurbished trains.

Unfortunately, due to the knock on effects of delays in the delivery of infrastructure work between Manchester and Preston, it has been necessary to postpone some of the improvements Northern had hoped to deliver. The planned service to Manchester via Wigan will now not be introduced.

Sharon Keith, Northern’s Regional Director, said: “Whilst we have been able to offer some notable improvements in our May timetable for customers travelling to and from, and within, Cumbria, it’s disappointing that we have had to postpone our planned route via Wigan.

“Our proposed timetable for May 18 was dependent on the successful delivery by Network Rail of the Manchester to Preston Electrification Project, which has been significantly delayed.

“This means some of our proposed routes have been rescheduled and will now be arriving later than planned.”

Sharon added: “The delay to some of our service improvements will not, however, delay our overall modernisation plans. By 2020 we will provide 2,000 extra services across the Northern network each week, will have introduced 98 brand new trains, will have fully refurbished our fleet and removed all Pacers from the line. We are absolutely committed to transforming the journey experience for our customers.”

Northern’s May 2018 service improvements are as follows:

 Manchester – Cumbria

• Four direct Barrow – Manchester Airport services and vice versa will operate along with one Manchester Piccadilly – Windermere and two Windermere – Manchester Piccadilly services

Carlisle – Barrow

•  Enhanced service will be introduced, including later evening trains and regular Sunday services