The MP for Barrow and Furness, Simon Fell, has today called on the newly appointed Secretary of State for Transport, Anne-Marie Trevellyan MP, to ‘get a grip’ of the current disruption caused on the regions railways.

The intervention from Furness’ MP came as part of an urgent question put to the Department for Transport concerning the disruption along the West Coast Main Line, specifically services operated by Avanti.

The MP was joined by fellow Cumbrian MP and Transport Minister, Trudy Harrison (Copeland) who answering questions and points raised by back bench MP’s from the dispatch box in Parliament, earlier today.

Mr Fell said that the “quality and quantity of services running has dropped significantly” and he referenced the detrimental impact this has on Furness residents.

Simon Fell MP also pointed out that commuters to and from Furness are experiencing similar disruption to service on the Furness Line, operated by Northern.

Addressing Minister Harrison, Simon said: “Can my Honourable Friend assure me that the new Secretary of State will be getting a grip on this issue so our constituents don’t have to live with this for much longer?”

Responding in agreement with Furness’ MP, Ms Harrison said: I understand the challenges, particularly on the Cumbria Coastal line. In fact, I’ve spoken to passengers who have the pain of the last train being cancelled and I for one would like to see that policy come to an end.”

The minister went on to say: “But it’s certainly why we have taken the decision, the difficult decision to reduce the timetable, to provide the certainty and avoid people expecting a train to be running and then being told at the last minute that that train will not run. That is in nobody’s best interest.”