Train operator funds Cumbria marketing campaign to say sorry for delays

£285,000 put into Lake District campaign Credit: ITV

Train operator Northern is funding a marketing campaign urging people to visit the Lake District after a string of rail delays and cancellations.

Passengers on Northern-run lines in Cumbria experienced major disruption earlier this year with trains on the Oxenholme to Windermere line being cancelled completely for several weeks.

Northern said driver shortages and timetable changes were to blame for the problems but the company insist punctuality has improved and full services have resumed.

The £285,000 campaign aims to show visitors that Cumbria is accessible by public transport and restore confidence.

It has been backed by a range of partners including Cumbria Country Council, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and local MP's, Tim Farron, John Woodcock and Trudy Harrison.

Cumbria Tourism says it hopes people will make better use of the links to the Furness Line, Cumbrian Coastal Line and the mainline train services at Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme.

Details are being finalised but the campaign will be underway later this autumn.